The former Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, David Hogg, recently made an attempt to influence the party's primaries by encouraging the participation of young, far-left activists.
However, the early results suggest that his efforts may not have been as successful as he had hoped.
According to the Western Journal, Hogg's political action committee, Leaders We Deserve, backed Gen Z influencer Deja Foxx in the special election triggered by the death of Arizona Rep. Ral Grijalva. Despite Hogg's support, Foxx lagged significantly behind Adelita Grijalva, the late congressman's daughter, who secured 62 percent of the vote with 77 percent of the votes counted, as per Associated Press figures. Foxx trailed with a mere 21 percent.
The 7th Congressional District of Arizona is a stronghold of the Democratic party, making the upcoming general election in September a mere formality. "This is a victory not for me, but for our community and the progressive movement my dad started in Southern Arizona more than 50 years ago," Grijalva stated after her victory.
The Washington Post described the situation as "the Mamdani sequel that wasnt," indicating that Foxx's anti-establishment message, which had gained some traction in recent weeks, failed to replicate the surprise win of Mamdani in New York. This was due to Grijalva's support from the same liberal groups and leaders who had backed Mamdani, and the fact that she had not held prior federal office.
Foxx's primary claim to fame was her activism on Instagram, particularly her advocacy for abortion rights. She had gained popularity in her teens for challenging then-Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake and has since maintained a strong presence on social media platforms popular among left-leaning audiences.
Hogg's endorsement of Foxx was seen by many as a test run for his plan to spend $20 million to challenge older establishment Democrats in blue seats. This plan is suspected to be the reason behind his ousting from the DNC. "Deja Foxx has been holding Republicans and career politicians feet to the fire since she was 15 years old. Shes an organizer who has carved her own path after experiencing homelessness and working at a gas station and she is ready to fight for [Tucson], her hometown," Hogg stated in his endorsement.
However, despite Foxx's claims of being within striking distance of Grijalva, the results were not even close. It remains to be seen whether Hogg's endorsement was a boon or a bane for Foxx's campaign. Hogg's reputation has taken a hit following his exit from the DNC, and his endorsement, instead of adding momentum to Foxx's campaign, may have deterred potential supporters.
Hogg's decision to back a 25-year-old "Gen Z influencer" with no political experience was seen as a preventable mistake. Despite clear indications that Grijalva, who has political experience and name recognition, was a strong contender, Hogg persisted in his support for Foxx. This misstep provides a glimpse into the future of Hogg's political activism, which appears to be on shaky ground.
In the world of politics, the internet does not always reflect reality, a lesson that Hogg seems to have learned the hard way. His attempt to inject new blood into the Democratic Party by backing a social media influencer has proven to be less successful than anticipated, raising questions about his future role in the political landscape.
Login