A growing ecosystem of podcasters, streamers and digital publishers is giving insurgent candidates a direct route to fundraising, visibility and activist organizing while testing Democratic Party unity.
Progressive candidates are gaining ground in Democratic primaries with help from a fast-expanding left-wing media network that includes podcasts, YouTube shows, livestreams and digital outlets. Pennsylvania state Representative Chris Rabb, a Democratic socialist who recently won a congressional primary, said appearances on "The Majority Report with Sam Seder" and "Breaking Points" boosted his visibility, validation and fundraising. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed defeated Haley Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary despite being heavily outspent on television advertising backed by tens of millions of dollars from pro-Israel and other outside groups. Supporters of the ecosystem say it gives underrepresented views, including universal healthcare, abolishing ICE and cutting off military aid to Israel, a larger platform at a time of weakening trust in traditional media. Critics and analysts say the same outlets can deepen factional divides inside the Democratic Party and make it harder for progressive nominees to win over moderates in general elections.