Politics

In Good News, There’s A Whole Bunch Of Progressive American Politicians In Congress

These progressive Democrats will be joining AOC to form a bigger, badder Squad 2.0.

by Rashna Farrukh  5 November 2020

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Yes, AOC got re-elected, but here are the other ground-breaking, barrier-shattering, American progressives that have got us feeling hopeful for the future.

The Squad

If you don’t already know, The Squad is the affectionate name given to the four women of colour first elected to serve in the 2018 midterms. They are Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib, and together they have been causing some serious trouble for Donald Trump and Republicans in general.

The four of them won this time around in a landslide, cementing their prominence and their importance in the American political system.

Despite their small numbers, they have demonstrated power in their togetherness. They have made strides, particularly in the area of climate policy. Their popularity has also made them targets to hate campaigns, often led by the Trump himself, who has previously told them to “go back” to where they came from.

Members of the squad have consistently stood up for themselves in the face of this, and been unafraid to call out the President.

The group’s impact could widen, as more progressive Democrats get elected and form a bigger, badder Squad 2.0.

Cori Bush

After she knocked out 10-time incumbent (whose father used to be in the seat before him) Lacy Clay, a win for Bush was pretty much guaranteed. And she won big. With 84% of the vote.

Bush was recruited by the Justice Democrats, a group whose mission is to recruit and support progressive candidates for the Democratic Party, transforming the party. Bush ran alongside AOC (who they also recruited) in 2018 but came short in her primary, but this time, she will be headed to Washington.

There she will be fighting to invest in social safety nets, and protect communities through things such as prison reform and immigration reform.

Jamaal Bowman

Much like Bush, Bowman was recruited by the Justice Democrats and secured his place in Congress after winning the primaries for his seat against a 16-term incumbent. Yes, 16.

The middle school principal was raised by a single mother in public housing, experiences which have shaped his politics and his policies, which he describes as “anti-poverty and anti-racist”.

Bowman also aims to unite the Democrats. Big tasks ahead, and our best wishes.

Mondaire Jones

One of the first two openly gay black men to be elected to Congress, Jones is a lawyer and activist who has advocated for a living wage, Medicare, a Green New Deal, and quality public education.

In his winning statement he wrote that he “never imagined someone like (him) could run for Congress, let alone get elected. To be poor, Black and gay is to not see yourself anywhere”. He had strong endorsements from fellow progressives Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and has previously credited AOC as showing him what is “possible with a movement behind you.”

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