Establishment Dems Stave Off the Left in Key California Congressional Primaries
Moderate Democratic candidates secured primary wins over progressive challengers in key California congressional races, including Scott Wiener defeating Saikat Chakrabarti in Nancy Pelosi’s former district and Jimmy Gomez surviving an ethics investigation to advance to November. Justice Democrats-backed progressives like Angela Gonzales-Torres and Mai Vang also face uphill battles in tight races, signaling a setback for the left’s push to shift the party’s direction.
California’s June 2 primary elections delivered early signs of a moderate Democratic resurgence in key congressional races, where establishment-backed candidates outpaced progressive challengers in solidly blue districts. In San Francisco, State Senator Scott Wiener won over 40% of the vote, securing the top spot in the race to replace outgoing Rep. Nancy Pelosi, while local politician Connie Chan placed second. Progressive activist Saikat Chakrabarti, a co-founder of Justice Democrats and former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, was eliminated from the general election ballot. In Los Angeles, incumbent Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who faces a House Ethics Committee investigation over sexual misconduct allegations, easily defeated progressive challenger Angela Gonzales-Torres. Despite the controversy, Gomez advanced to the November runoff under California’s jungle primary system, where the top two candidates—regardless of party—compete. Results in Sacramento remain too close to call, but longtime Rep. Doris Matsui leads progressive city council member Mai Vang in a tight race. The outcomes reflect broader tensions within the Democratic Party, where progressives argue the establishment’s strategy contributed to Donald Trump’s rise in 2016. Justice Democrats, which backed Chakrabarti, Gonzales-Torres, and Vang, saw limited success in California but scored a victory in New Jersey, where Dr. Adam Hamawy, a former Gaza volunteer, won his primary. Chakrabarti, a wealthy tech entrepreneur turned activist, lost despite endorsements from Pelosi’s allies, including San Francisco Board of Supervisors member Connie Chan, whom Pelosi had backed. Key policy divides emerged between candidates, particularly on Israel’s Gaza conflict and wealth taxes. Wiener and Chan opposed billionaire tax proposals favored by Chakrabarti, while all three supported Medicare for All, overturning *Citizens United*, and defunding Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The results suggest moderate Democrats retain control in these districts, though progressive candidates may yet challenge them in the general election.
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