What’s next for Democrats — in November and 2027: From the Politics Desk

In today’s edition, “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker looks at Democrats’ recent primary results and digs into what they might mean for governing next year. Plus, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance answer questions on the war with Iran.

Recent Democratic primaries have exposed some deep and important divisions within the party, shaping not just midterm strategy but also how Democrats might govern if they win.

Progressives rode a wave of energy to squeak out a narrow victory in Michigan , where Democrat Abdul El-Sayed becomes one of the movement’s most important figures as he battles in a must-win Senate race this fall. And they scored another feather in their cap in Minnesota, where Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan ’s victory makes her the front-runner to be the state’s next senator.

But while that progressive energy is unmistakable on the left, they don’t have an undeniable mandate within their party. El-Sayed won by a hair, and Wisconsin’s Francesca Hong fumbled a big polling lead in the state’s gubernatorial primary in her own narrow loss this week .

That’s why some progressives are tacking toward the center to appeal to swing voters — like how Flanagan didn’t directly tell me on Thursday’s “MTP Now” whether or not she supported abolishing ICE (she’s called to “rip apart” the agency). It’s why other Democrats like new Wisconsin governor nominee David Crowley have emphasized the need for his party to have a “big tent” in order to win in November.

These fascinating intraparty debates over issues like immigration, the economy, healthcare, Israel policy and data centers transcend the campaign trail. If Democrats get their wish and take back the House or the Senate, these debates will set up important governing questions for party figures like Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries , who hopes to become the next speaker of the House.

How will leaders like Jeffries balance the energy in the burgeoning progressive wing of the party heading into 2028? And what will that mean for some of the top progressive priorities on healthcare, immigration and criminal justice — issues that have energized the left but that Republicans have used to argue the whole Democratic Party is captive to progressives?

I’ll speak about this, and more, with both Jeffries and California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna on Sunday’s “Meet the Press.” On top of that, Attorney General Todd Blanche will sit down with me just days after his confirmation.