A new Manhattan Institute poll of 2,593 Democrats confirms what reformers have argued for years: moderates outnumber the progressive fringe nearly 2-to-1, yet an 11% "Woke Fringe" drives the party's agenda—a dynamic San Francisco's recent political battles have exposed in sharp relief. Meanwhile, California's 2026 governor's race is already being shaped by public sector unions collecting $921 million annually in dues, with Porter, Swalwell, and Steyer all lining up for endorsements while San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan stands apart. On the campaign finance front, Saikat Chakrabarti—co-founder of Justice Democrats and architect of AOC's political operation—has burned through $1.47 million of his own money chasing Nancy Pelosi's congressional seat, and received exactly zero votes at the California Democratic Party's pre-endorsement conference.
The moderate majority is real but an 11% fringe is hijacking primaries. But not in San Francisco. Here's why.
While virtue signaling politicians and their donors sip champagne, real builders walk the fire rubble of Pacific Palisades and work with startup founders to create jobs
Public sector unions are picking their next governor. Porter, Swalwell, and Steyer are lining up to perform. One Democrat is not: Matt Mahan
We proved local politics is winnable. Now we're recruiting the next wave—and you need to apply to get in.
Saikat Chakrabarti—architect of the 'dark money' operation he rails against—is trying to buy Pelosi's seat. Local Democrats aren't having it.
Paid operatives weaponized fake harassment claims to protect Pelosi. When the lies collapsed, they just pivoted to new attacks.