Amid growing outrage over corporate Democrats’ failure to meaningfully stand up against President Donald Trump’s authoritarianism, Sunrise Movement on Thursday launched “the most ambitious” primary campaign to replace feckless incumbents with progressives.

"For far too long, Democratic leadership has failed to meet the moment; it’s time to clear house,” Sunrise Movement executive director Aru Shiney-Ajay said in a statement.

“I’m extremely excited about the crop of candidates running in 2026," Shiney-Ajay added. "This year, we have an unprecedented opportunity to elect a new generation of leaders who are challenging our broken political system and fighting for a livable and affordable country.”

Like many progressive groups, Sunrise Movement has expressed its growing frustration with most congressional Democrats’ acquiescence to Trump and Republicans’ growing authoritarianism. The youth-led, climate-focused organization was particularly incensed by Senate Democrats’ recent capitulation in the government shutdown fight.

“Why the hell would Democrats cave with nothing for the working people? When millions are losing healthcare?” Sunrise asked last week. “If you cave now, you don’t deserve to lead, you deserve to be replaced.”

To that end, Sunrise says its new campaign “will include a nationwide field, protest, and communications program targeting over a dozen congressional primaries.”

“Sunrise organizers and volunteers will mobilize thousands of young people to knock on doors, make calls, and take direct action to elect progressive champions ready to challenge the Democratic Party’s complacency and reimagine what Democratic leadership can look like,” the group continued.

“In the 2026 general election, Sunrise will lead one of the largest youth electoral efforts in the country, organizing students on campuses across the country to ensure young voters turn out to reject authoritarianism at the ballot box and are prepared to mobilize in defense of election results if Trump or his allies attempt to subvert democracy,” Sunrise added.

The new Sunrise campaign comes as progressive groups such as Indivisible, MoveOn, and Our Revolution and some Democratic House lawmakers including progressives Ro Khanna (Calif.), Mark Pocan (Wis.), and Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) are urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to step down in the wake of the shutdown surrender.

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