Who Are the Democrats Who Joined Republicans to Condemn Socialism?
Eight Democrats defied their party and voted with Republicans to condemn socialism. Their names – and the politics behind their votes – stand out.
The House passed the Republican-led resolution 220-192, with Republicans joined by eight Democrats. Two additional Democrats voted “present” rather than for or against the measure.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO), condemns socialism and criticizes policies associated with the Democratic Socialists of America. Republicans have increasingly used the issue to attack Democrats they say are embracing increasingly progressive economic policies.
The Eight Democrats Who Voted for the Resolution:
- Kathy Castor of Florida
- Henry Cuellar of Texas
- Don Davis of North Carolina
- Jared Golden of Maine
- Vicente Gonzalez of Texas
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington
- Darren Soto of Florida
- Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico
Two other Democrats, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, voted “present.”
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries denounced their faction of the party. “The decision by two of our colleagues to blindside the entire House Democratic Caucus and join with the Republican majority to pass a procedural rule on the brink of failing represents a significant breach of trust,” he said, according to CBS News. “It is an action that necessitates a serious response, and we have asked the Committee on Caucus Rules to take this up in short order.”
The vote comes as Republicans seek to make socialism a major political issue heading into the November midterm elections. We previously told you the GOP has pointed to the growing influence of democratic socialist candidates within the Democratic Party as evidence that the party is moving further to the left.
For Democrats who opposed the resolution, however, the measure was about more than socialism. They objected to provisions tied to the Republican-backed SAVE America Act, a voting bill that would impose additional requirements related to voter registration and voting.
That broader context made the vote politically complicated for Democrats in competitive districts. Supporting the resolution allowed lawmakers to distance themselves from socialism while potentially avoiding a vote that Republicans could use against them in future campaigns, the Hill reported.
The votes by Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez were particularly notable, according to POLITICO. Both lawmakers have developed reputations for breaking with Democratic leaders and working across party lines on certain issues.
House Democrats are facing a balancing act. While progressives have pushed the party toward more ambitious economic and social policies, moderate Democrats in competitive districts have sought to maintain distance from positions Republicans can portray as far-left.
For Republicans, the vote offers another opportunity to define Democrats on their terms. For Democratic leaders, it is another reminder of how difficult it can be to maintain party unity as the 2026 midterms approach.
