Democrats Debate Leadership Role⁢ After 2024 loss

‍ updated May 26, 2025

Following a bruising defeat in 2024, the Democratic party is grappling with questions about its aging leadership.A surge of younger Democrats are seeking to reshape the‍ party’s role by‍ challenging incumbents and urging leaders ⁢to more forcefully confront Trump.

Amanda Litman, who has spent a decade working to get more young people into elected office, sees this as a pivotal moment. Litman co-founded Run for Something in 2017, the day of Trump’s ‍inauguration. The ‍organization recruits and trains progressive candidates under 40. To date, they’ve helped elect over 1,500 individuals across 49 states. Since ⁤Trump’s victory last November, more than 40,000 people have signed up to explore a run for office, adding to the 200,000 already engaged.

Litman believes the Democratic party’s reliance on seniority is a significant weakness. She draws a ⁣parallel to difficult family conversations. “Imagine how hard it is indeed to tell your grandparents that it’s time for⁢ them to stop driving,” Litman said. “This is the same: how do you tell someone they’re ⁣no longer fit to do the thing that they’ve been doing for decades, but maybe feel called to and derive ⁢all their self-esteem and their sense of identity from?”

She emphasizes the importance of open and ‍honest discussions about generational change, noting the consequences of avoiding ⁣the issue. younger leaders,she added,frequently enough have a greater willingness to challenge established institutions and propose option approaches,which can be unsettling to those ⁣who have built those institutions over decades.

Litman recently addressed the issue on social media after the death of virginia Democrat Gerry Connolly,⁢ one of three older Democrats who have died in⁤ office this year.She wrote that “older Democrats need⁤ to retire now and go out on their own terms. Let us celebrate⁣ your legacy! Don’t⁣ let your leadership end in a primary loss or worse, real grief.”

Her new book, “When we’re in Charge: The Next‍ Generation’s guide to Leadership,” explores how millennial and Gen Z leaders ⁢can ⁢transform workplaces. While not explicitly about politics,it includes interviews with individuals in elected office and political work.

“When we make workplaces better, we give people back their time to do more politics outside of it, like being a better citizen,” she said. “It’s really hard to imagine going to a protest or volunteering for a candidate if you are working around the clock… Part⁤ of the ‍reason why‍ I want⁢ to push this conversation outside of politics is because I think⁣ the more we can make work not suck, the better everything else cannot suck too.”

Litman advocates for separating work ⁤from personal identity and embracing “responsible authenticity.” She cites New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as an example of a politician who effectively balances⁣ authenticity with appropriate boundaries.

According to Litman, members of Congress face similar challenges as professionals in other fields. “The members of Congress I spoke to brought up the same kinds of challenges as⁢ the lawyers, as the ⁣faith leaders, as the business executives and media folks,” she said.”They all talked about loneliness. They all talked ⁢about vulnerability. They‍ talked about the challenges of wanting to be⁢ authentic but not wanting to let everyone into all your shit.”

Litman anticipates more primary challenges as Democrats consider how to rebuild. She views primaries as⁤ a valuable tool for sharpening political skills. “Politics, like everything else, is something you get better at with⁤ practice.Primaries are how you get better,” litman said.

She clarifies that these primaries aren’t solely about progressive versus centrist ideologies. Rather, they focus on identifying candidates with the determination and skills to effectively challenge the Trump administration.Beyond primaries, Litman suggests open ⁤discussions about potential retirements, viewing an open race as preferable‍ to unseating an incumbent.

“If we really think that this is a crisis, we need leaders who are going to act like it and be able to communicate that,” she said. “I’m not sure that Senator [Chuck] Schumer and other ‍older members of Congress are moast well-suited to ⁣do that. That’s not a personal failing. It’s just we got to send our best.”

What’s next

The coming months will reveal whether the Democratic party embraces a new generation of leaders and a shift in its leadership style, or if the established guard maintains its hold.