Democrats Split on Core Policies as 2026 Midterm Race Heats Up

Democratic candidates running for office in the upcoming midterm elections are actively reevaluating their policy platforms. Two years after Donald Trump returned to the White House, the party is attempting to regain control of both houses of Congress. To achieve this, some officials have softened their earlier positions, while others have pushed further to the left. A few are even openly breaking with party leadership to find new ground.

These shifts are occurring as internal divisions within the party have deepened since the 2024 election. Establishment figures and self-described moderates are struggling to contain a growing wave of progressive populism, particularly from groups like the Democratic Socialists of America. Consequently, a candidate's stance on a given issue often depends heavily on the specific district or state where they are running.

The most visible changes are taking place in how the party views Israel. More than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza, a conflict that began following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. Public opinion is turning against the country's current standing. A Pew Research Center survey from earlier this year found that 60 percent of US adults hold an unfavorable view of Israel. Among Democrats, that figure rises to 80 percent.

Several longtime supporters of Israel are adjusting their rhetoric in response. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, who may chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee if his party wins the Senate, told Politico that he wants a thorough reexamination of the US-Israeli relationship. He indicated he would consider sanctions against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This represents a notable change from 2024, when the party did not feature a Palestinian American speaker at its national convention. Earlier this year, 40 Democratic senators supported a motion to disapprove proposed military sales to Israel, while only seven voted with Republicans to block it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is expected to become majority leader, maintains that the US commitment to Israel's security must remain ironclad.

Transgender rights have also become a point of contention, particularly in tight races. Many candidates have downplayed their support for the community, largely regarding transgender students in school sports. Ohio Representative Marcy Kaptur ran an advertisement stating that boys should not play in girls' sports. North Carolina Representative Don Davis called for a safe and fair space for women and girls in sports. Meanwhile, South Carolina Senate candidate Annie Andrews said she opposes biological men playing in women's sports. This shift follows a 2024 campaign ad that highlighted Kamala Harris's support for transgender Americans.

Not all Democrats agree with this cautious approach. In a town hall in Portland, Maine, on Thursday, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez addressed a transgender student who felt abandoned. She stated that some in her party were wrong and expressed shame that people scare so easily after an election. She argued that compromising a trans person's rights ultimately compromises the rights of every citizen.

Immigration policy has further split the party. Customs and Border Protection recorded more than 8 million border encounters between 2021 and 2025. In Texas, Senate candidate James Talarico identifies as a border security Democrat who backs stronger enforcement alongside comprehensive reform. Lucas Holtz of the moderate group Third Way noted that such proactive stances are effective, arguing that the 2024 campaign did not fully stick to its early calls for border order. On the left, the fatal shootings of US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year have fueled calls to abolish or drastically overhaul ICE.

Health care presents another area of disagreement. While Democrats agree on the need for more government involvement, they differ on the methods. Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed supports Medicare for All. In contrast, Andrews, running in a more conservative state, wants to restore lapsed Affordable Care Act subsidies and limit insurer profits. KFF polling indicates that 66 percent of US adults now back Medicare for All, a 13-point increase from October 2020. Holtz said all Democrats want to move toward universal coverage in the best way possible.