An op-ed published in The Hill over the weekend paints a grim outlook for Democrats heading into next year’s midterm elections. Written by conservative commentator and former Wall Street executive Liz Peek, the piece takes aim at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s handling of the recent government shutdown, framing it as a symptom of deeper fractures within the Democratic Party.

Peek places blame for the shutdown squarely on Schumer and outlines what she sees as three major weaknesses undermining the party: growing pressure from its progressive wing, President Trump’s stronghold on the political center, and Democrats’ continued push for higher government spending. She argues that Schumer’s actions are shaped by fears of a primary challenge from progressive star Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Supporting her claim, Peek references polling from the left-leaning Data for Progress, which shows Schumer trailing Ocasio-Cortez by 19 points in a hypothetical 2028 primary, along with low favorability ratings among New York Democrats. This, she says, is evidence of growing dissatisfaction with establishment figures in the party and increasing momentum behind its progressive flank.

Peek also highlights other races across the country that illustrate this trend, including Omar Fateh’s attempt to unseat Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign in New York City. She warns that while progressives may gain traction in deep-blue cities, their policies are unlikely to resonate with voters in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Ohio.

In closing, Peek argues that the Democratic Party’s leftward shift may win favor with wealthy progressive donors but could alienate average voters. “That is not where the country is,” she concludes, warning that this ideological drift could cost Democrats control of Congress — and the White House — in 2028.