Former Republicans Running as Democrats Trail in 2026 Primaries
Several candidates who left the Republican Party over opposition to President Trump have entered Democratic primaries this year. Early results show them finishing well behind other contenders.
Nbc NewsFormer Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan finished fourth in the Democratic primary for governor last month, nearly 50 points behind former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. In Pennsylvania, Ryan Crosswell lost a House primary by 20 points to state firefighters union head Bob Brooks.
Conway is running for an open House seat in Manhattan’s 12th District. An Emerson College poll released last month placed him fourth with 9 percent support. Former Republican Rep. David Jolly leads early surveys for the Democratic nomination for governor of Florida.
Andrew Mamo, a spokesperson for The Bench, said primary voters now prioritize “authenticity” and past political fights over prior Republican affiliation. Eric Stern, a Democratic strategist, said the party would not repeat its 2024 decision to feature former Rep.
Liz Cheney in campaign events. Olivia Troye, a former Pence adviser, announced in April she would run for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District but later ended her campaign after the state Supreme Court invalidated the district map. Crosswell said Democrats should consider messages that appeal to independents and Republicans to improve the party’s standing.
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