Aug 7, 2018

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

Alexi McCammond

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.

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Outside of the New York Stock Exchange. (Photo: Wang Ying/Xinhua via Getty Images)

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Between the lines: The declines come after President Trump on Tuesday braced the country for a "very painful" few weeks "like we've never seen before," as COVID-19 cases continue to spike across the U.S. and the economy remains largely shut down.

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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 4 p.m. ET: 911,308 — Total deaths: 45,497 — Total recoveries: 191,673 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 4 p.m. ET: 203,608 — Total deaths: 4,476 — Total recoveries: 8,413 — Map.
  3. Federal government latest: Vice President Mike Pence said White House modeling suggests "Italy may be the most comparable area to the United States" in terms of coronavirus impact.
  4. State updates: Florida and Pennsylvania are the latest to issue stay-at-home orders — Michigan has more than 9,000 confirmed cases, an increase of 1,200 and 78 new deaths in 24 hours.
  5. U.S.S Theodore Roosevelt: Nuclear aircraft carrier infected with coronavirus to remove 2,700 members.
  6. What should I do? Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
  7. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

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