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Today's primaries are the first major test for Democratic socialists

A father and daughter at one of Abdul El-Sayed's recent rallies in Michigan. Photo: Rob Groulx/Axios

Tonight's primaries are the first major test for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Those close to her campaign are predicting all four candidates she's endorsed will win their races tonight.

Why it matters: We'll soon see whether or not the progressive revolution has arrived (and captured a critical mass of voters) in places like Kansas, Michigan and Missouri.

If they win, it's a clear sign that the Democratic socialist playbook not only works outside of the Bronx, but that even voters in Trump country are ready to push the Dem Party and the nation farther to the left.

  • But if they lose, it will be a sign that the Ocasio-Cortez wing of the Democratic Party isn't strong enough to create a seismic shift in 2018 politics.
  • And Republicans will have new ammo to use against Dems. They've already scoffed at Ocasio-Cortez's primary intervention, and now they'll be able to discount the entire movement.

Here are the four candidates to watch tonight:

The bottom line: This isn't necessarily an all-or-nothing situation. Even if all four candidates don't win their primaries, the momentum behind this movement is undeniable.

Go deeper: Axios followed el-Sayed last week as he campaigned with Ocasio-Cortez.

Go deeper

Jonathan Swan, Zachary Basu
17 mins ago - Politics & Policy
Off the Rails

Episode 2: Barbarians at the Oval

Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Beginning on election night 2020 and continuing through his final days in office, Donald Trump unraveled and dragged America with him, to the point that his followers sacked the U.S. Capitol with two weeks left in his term. This Axios series takes you inside the collapse of a president.

Episode 2: Trump stops buying what his professional staff are telling him, and increasingly turns to radical voices telling him what he wants to hear.

President Trump plunked down in an armchair in the White House residence, still dressed from his golf game — navy fleece, black pants, white MAGA cap. It was Saturday, Nov. 7. The networks had just called the election for Joe Biden.

Go deeper (5 min. read)Arrow
Sara Fischer, Kyle Daly
1 hour ago - Technology

Fringe right plots new attacks out of sight

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Domestic extremists are using obscure and private corners of the internet to plot new attacks ahead of Inauguration Day. Their plans are also hidden in plain sight, buried in podcasts and online video platforms.

Why it matters: Because law enforcement was caught flat-footed during last week's Capitol siege, researchers and intelligence agencies are paying more attention to online threats that could turn into real-world violence.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Sara Fischer, Margaret Harding McGill
2 hours ago - Technology

Kids’ screen time up 50% during pandemic

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

When the coronavirus lockdowns started in March, kidstech firm SuperAwesome found that screen time was up 50%. Nearly a year later, that percentage hasn't budged, according to new figures from the firm.

Why it matters: For most parents, pre-pandemic expectations around screen time are no longer realistic. The concern now has shifted from the number of hours in front of screens to the quality of screen time.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow