Progressive Candidates Test Bernie Sanders' Political Ideals in Michigan and Wisconsin

Axios · August 9, 2026Original source ↗

What happened

Francesca Hong and Abdul El-Sayed are running for statewide office in Wisconsin and Michigan, respectively, as they seek to align Democratic politics with a progressive agenda reminiscent of Bernie Sanders. Their campaigns are being closely monitored for insights on the viability of left-leaning policies within the party ahead of the 2028 presidential race.

Why it matters

The outcomes of their campaigns could influence the direction of the Democratic Party and its strategy in upcoming elections.

How this story affects people

How does this story affect you if you live in Wisconsin or Michigan?

The outcomes of Hong and El-Sayed's campaigns could directly influence the political landscape in your state, potentially shifting Democratic policies toward a more progressive agenda. This shift could affect local issues such as healthcare access, education funding, and economic equality.

Want this written about you?

The breakdown above is the shared version, for kinds of people. In the app, Ripple uses your job, your city, and your family, then writes that part about you.

Get your Ripple