After suffering serious electoral setbacks and a vacuum of leadership, the Democratic Party is in desperate need of some star power. With no clear national figurehead emerging to steer the party from the political wilderness, many are looking to up-and-coming stars in Congress to chart a path forward.
We spoke with more than a dozen Democratic sources and strategists about who they see as fresh talent with leadership potential. Here are the names that came up the most.
In the Senate: Newly elected Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is earning plaudits for his relentless focus on economic issues. In a recent social media video, Gallego employs a walk-and-talk approach and a tiny mic to run through what President Donald Trump could do to bring egg prices down.
Gallego, a former House member who won in a state that Trump also carried, brings an injection of youth to the Senate Democratic Caucus.
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who’s seen as a contender to be Democratic leader one day, announced this month that he’s placing a hold on Trump’s foreign policy nominations. At a time when many Democrats are pleading with their elected officials to “do something,” Schatz stepped up.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), another Democrat with higher aspirations, immediately called on the party to embrace populism following their 2024 setbacks. Murphy’s messaging guidance looks awfully similar to the anti-billionaire tact that leadership is employing now.
In the House: Media-savvy up-and-comers Reps. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) and Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) are known for going viral online.
Crockett and Garcia are mainstays on the cable news networks and effectively use social media to rile up the Democratic base. Frost, the youngest member of Congress, is currently a co-chair of the House Democrats’ messaging arm.
All three are also members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which makes them heroes among party activists and outside groups.
But a number of moderate contenders, like Frontline Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) are also making waves.
Craig, who has outperformed national Democrats in rural areas, recently ousted longtime Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) to become the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee and is weighing a Senate run.
Ryan posted one of the largest overperformances on former Vice President Kamala Harris’ vote share in November, outrunning the top of the ticket by roughly 12 points. The combat Army veteran is also making the case on how Democrats can win over male voters.
Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) are revamping the Blue Dogs’ image and appealing to voters looking for pro-worker populism.
