‘Economic populism is very fashionable’: the old Bernie Sanders formula that helped Democrats win the midterms

Progressive Democratic candidates won seats in the 3 November midterms after campaigning on economic fairness, working-class concerns and challenging the influence of billionaires. The article argues that their message echoes Bernie Sanders’ politics, once treated as marginal within his party, and suggests his decades of campaigning helped make it more acceptable.

Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed, California’s Randy Villegas and New York’s Claire Valdez all won, after receiving Sanders’ support. Analysts differ on whether economic populism is new, but agree that Donald Trump helped bring public attention to corporate and billionaire influence; before the election, surveys found the cost of living, including fuel and groceries, was voters’ leading concern.