Democrats gather in Denver to debate party’s future after US midterm wins

What the report says

Democrats are gathering in Denver for a two-day conference called What’s Next, a post-midterm forum focused on the party’s direction after winning control of the US Congress. According to Al Jazeera, the event brings together lawmakers, strategists, newly elected members and several possible 2028 presidential contenders to discuss how Democrats should use their new majorities and position themselves for the next presidential cycle.

The conference was organized before the elections by Majority Democrats, a new moderate group chaired by Massachusetts Representative Jake Auchincloss. The group says it wants to offer an alternative to both entrenched party leadership and the activist left, while some progressives have criticized its approach as too cautious. Al Jazeera notes that the gathering reflects broader internal debate over whether Democrats should lean into a more centrist message or pursue a more ambitious agenda.

Among the announced attendees are Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, California Representative Ro Khanna, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become House speaker. Newly elected senators James Talarico of Texas and Josh Turek of Iowa are also due to attend. The article says some prominent progressives, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, are not on the published speaker list.