Democrats Gather in Denver to Shape Strategy for 2028 and Future Leadership

Democratic party leaders gathered in Denver this week to map out a strategy for a potential 2028 supermajority following their recent midterm successes.

The “What’s Next” conference, a three-day summit held at the Mission Ballroom, brought together a mix of rising stars, consultants, and media figures to discuss the future of the party.

The event was organized by Majority Democrats, an influential political action committee that seeks to champion candidates capable of winning in traditionally Republican-leaning districts. While the atmosphere felt like a festival, the discussions centered on the deep ideological divides that remain within the party’s ranks.

The stakes for these debates are high, as the party attempts to reconcile the different factions that fueled its recent “blue tsunami” victories. “Whatever side of the Democrats you feel like you’re on, that is not what is important right now,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan told the crowd, according to Colorado Newsline.

She said that the recent Senate election in her home state, won by Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed, demonstrated the necessity of unity over internal fighting between progressives and moderates.

Internal friction in Denver

Despite the celebratory tone, the summit exposed tensions regarding policy and leadership. Protesters from groups including the Sunrise Movement and the Democratic Socialists of America gathered outside the venue, with some demonstrators even being escorted from the building during an appearance by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. One protester accused Jeffries of being a “traitor” and a “lapdog” for billionaires.

Respectfully, Medicare For All proponents aren't being fully transparent about what this poll actually says— not with their supporters, and possibly not with themselves. Yes, 66% of Americans support Medicare For All according to this KFF poll. But according to that same poll,… https://t.co/SnozSxnMPr pic.twitter.com/XgauOaxLHg

— Post by @MajorityDems on X

The disagreement over the party’s direction was also evident in the speakers chosen to represent the incoming majority. Rep. Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts, the chair of Majority Democrats, used his Friday morning speech to push back against certain left-wing priorities. He specifically criticized ideas such as rent control, the banning of fossil fuels, and a lack of focus on the national debt.

“This is the moment to challenge and cast off these bad ideas and embrace the best and most radical one we ever had: equal opportunity for all and special privileges for none,” Auchincloss said.

Auchincloss, who is considered one of the more conservative members of the House Democratic caucus, advocated for “swinging for the fences” on proposals like a four-day work week. His approach aligns with the goals of the Majority Democrats PAC, which focuses on building a coalition that includes members of the centrist Blue Dog caucus, such as Montana Rep.-elect Sam Forstag and North Carolina Rep.-elect Jamie Ager.

In contrast, the progressive wing sought more radical shifts. Rep. Ro Khanna of California drew applause while calling for the passage of "Medicare for All" and the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, many of the most insurgent candidates, including Denver’s 29-year-old democratic socialist representative-elect Melat Kiros, were notably absent from the conference.

The battle for leadership

The conference also served as a stage for a burgeoning leadership challenge within the Senate. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland announced he would challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York for leadership of the incoming Senate majority. Van Hollen argued that the party must “shake things up” to fulfill the promises made to swing voters.

During a discussion on stage with Fox News’ Jessica Tarlov, Jeffries addressed criticisms that his leadership might be too timid. When asked about the concerns of young voters and issues like permitting reform, Jeffries focused on the party’s collective efforts to oppose what he termed “MAGA extremism” and his commitment to fighting for an “affordable America.”

The divide between these factions is backed by large financial interests. Federal Election Commission disclosures show that Majority Democrats, founded in July 2025, has received nearly $11 million from hedge-fund billionaire Stephen Mandel and his wife, Sue. The PAC has also received contributions from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and James and Kathryn Murdoch.

The central question for the party involves how to maintain the momentum of a midterm performance that was its best in over 50 years. This success was largely driven by victories in states like Kansas, Texas, and Mississippi, which has led some analysts to favor a “supermajority thinking” model. This approach prioritizes a broad coalition over a rapid shift toward progressive policies.

Democrats gather in Denver to discuss the party’s future (Day 2) — Associated Press

Political Figure	Role/Title	Key Position/Action
Jake Auchincloss	Rep., MA (Chair of Majority Democrats)	Opposes rent control and fossil fuel bans
Chris Van Hollen	Sen., MD	Challenging Chuck Schumer for Senate leadership
Ro Khanna	Rep., CA	Advocates for Medicare for All
Hakeem Jeffries	House Minority Leader	Focuses on fighting “MAGA extremism”

While moderates argue that the party must avoid alienating voters who prefer employer-sponsored insurance over Medicare for All, progressives like Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico argue the system must be fundamentally “unrigged.” Talarico told the conference that the current economic system only benefits the top 1% and that no billionaire should be able to buy elections.

Colorado Gov.-elect Phil Weiser, who participated in a panel on Friday, suggested that the party should not compromise its core values in an attempt to win concessions. “We have to stay true to what our values are. Never bend the knee,” Weiser said.

The party's ability to bridge the gap between its centrist donors and its progressive base is uncertain as the 2028 cycle approaches.