Inside Cortez Masto's counterpunch on behalf of moderates
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto during a press conference on Feb. 17 in Las Vegas. Photo: Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) is riding to the rescue of centrist Senate Democratic candidates across the map, making her latest move in Michigan, where she endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens in the party's divisive primary.
Why it matters: Senate primaries in Maine, Michigan and Minnesota are turning into proxy wars between the party's centrist and progressive wings, with divisions over strategy and ideology.
- The conflict has spread to the Democratic caucus, with progressives openly defying Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) by propping up candidates he has passed over.
- But Cortez Masto is emerging as a leading moderate counterweight to senators challenging Schumer's judgment.
Driving the news: ModSquad, a group led by Cortez Masto that backs moderate Senate Democrats, endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) in the state's Senate primary on Friday, as we reported.
- Cortez Masto's 2026 endorsements now include moderate Senate candidates in Maine, Michigan and Minnesota.
- That puts her firmly on the opposite side of progressives, who are backing insurgent candidates.
The intrigue: Cortez Masto's allies shot back at their progressive peers on Friday, arguing they risk nominating unelectable candidates who could lose in the general election.
- "Poll after poll shows Haley is the only Democrat who can be trusted to win a competitive general election," ModSquad executive director Jennifer Mueller said in a statement.
- The party "can't take a risk on unproven candidates," Mueller added.
Zoom in: ModSquad points to its record in tough races to bolster its case.
- In 2024, the group backed Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), all of whom won in states President Trump carried.
Zoom out: Progressives aren't just endorsing their preferred candidates — they're deploying fundraising muscle as well.
- Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) hosted a fundraiser in Washington for Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, who has also secured endorsements from Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Gallego.
- Warren, in a statement this week endorsing Platner, said he was "going to flip Maine and then actually deliver change for working people in the Senate."
- In Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has been endorsed by a "who's who" of the Senate's progressive wing, including seven sitting senators.
Stevens is battling state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and progressive Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Aug. 4 primary.
- McMorrow has notched support from Heinrich, Warren and Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.).
- El-Sayed has the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
