Grassroots Send a Clear Message: It’s Time for Change
A new post-election survey of more than 3,500 progressive voters — the nation’s largest progressive political organizing group with over 8 million members — reveals a growing demand for bold leadership, economic populism, and a break from the Democratic Party’s status quo.
The survey, conducted by Our Revolution, shows deep frustration with current party leaders and overwhelming support for replacing them with candidates who represent the working class, not corporate interests.
“Mamdani’s victory was not an outlier — it was a signal,” said Joseph Geevarghese, Executive Director of Our Revolution. “The grassroots are demanding change. They want a Democratic Party that fights for working families, taxes the rich, and takes on Trump and the oligarchs driving this affordability crisis. The old guard must step aside or risk losing the movement that delivered these wins.”
What the Grassroots Are Saying
The message from the Democratic base is unmistakable: voters are ready to rebuild the party from the ground up.
- 90% say Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer should step aside; 92% would support a primary challenger.
- 70% say House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries should step aside; 77% would back a primary challenger.
- Nearly all respondents believe Democrats must campaign on an affordability agenda focused on lowering costs and holding corporations accountable.
- 67% say current Democratic leaders are out of touch with the struggles of working people.
- 87% say Democratic candidates should reject corporate PAC and billionaire money — with almost half warning they won’t support any candidate who doesn’t.
The findings paint a clear picture: grassroots Democrats are demanding a populist realignment that centers the needs of working people over the influence of big donors.
Lessons from Mamdani’s Win: Populism Works
In the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s historic victory for New York City Mayor, respondents overwhelmingly agreed on one point — bold, populist economics win elections.
- 89% said affordability-focused campaigns are the key to victory.
- 92% said taxing the rich and breaking up monopolies are both popular and practical solutions.
- 90% said standing up to Trump and the oligarchs drives voter enthusiasm.
- 86% said the Trump era demands a new generation of leadership.
“What happened in New York is a blueprint for how Democrats can win everywhere,” Geevarghese added. “Take on Trump and the billionaire class, lead with moral clarity, and put working people first with bold economic policies. The base is demanding that national leaders step aside if they can’t meet this moment.”
A Warning to the Party Establishment
While enthusiasm among grassroots Democrats is growing, many fear that party elites will once again ignore the lessons of history.
- 69% worry leaders will dismiss Mamdani’s win as an outlier.
- 65% fear leadership will continue catering to big donors instead of the base.
- 53% believe Democrats may retreat from moral fights over identity, climate justice, and trans rights instead of confronting right-wing extremism head-on.
These concerns show a widening gap between a Democratic establishment stuck in the past and a grassroots movement ready to fight for the future.
The Path Forward: A Party for the People
Our Revolution’s survey makes one thing crystal clear — the energy, enthusiasm, and future of the Democratic Party lie with its progressive base.
Voters want leaders who will take on oligarchic power, reject corporate influence, and fight for an economy that works for everyone. The grassroots are not waiting for permission — they’re organizing for transformation.
Because as our movement keeps proving:
💪 When we organize, we win.