Democratic leaders, newly elected officials and strategists gathered in Denver on Thursday for the two-day "What's Next" conference, hosted by the Majority Democrats PAC. The meeting followed a historic wave of midterm wins that put Democrats back in control of the House and Senate, and it was framed as a chance to turn those victories into a lasting plan.
What are Democrats trying to accomplish?
Organizers cast the event as a working session rather than a victory lap. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston told the crowd, "Last week, America was willing to try on hope. We have to prove that it fits." Speakers pushed a list of priorities that included immediate relief for the affordability crisis, universal health care, an immigration overhaul, limits on gerrymandering, housing construction and regulation of artificial intelligence.
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Why did affordability dominate the agenda?
Analysts said the cost of living drove the midterm results. According to Charlotte Swasey, director of analytics at Searchlight Institute, cost of living was the most important issue "in every single state and in every single demographic group." David Shor of Blue Rose Research pointed to the Iran War, saying approval of President Trump's handling of gas prices fell sharply within days of its start.
Is the party united behind this strategy?
The summit also exposed friction. Majority Democrats is an independent committee and super PAC, not an official Democratic National Committee event, and some progressives see it as a well-funded centrist operation. A block from Mission Ballroom, protesters urged visiting Democrats to bring new faces into party leadership.
What happens next?
Strategists warned that the party's advantage may be brief. Stephanie Valencia, co-founder of Equis Research, said Democrats are "on probation with voters" and may have only a year to 18 months to show what they stand for. Denver is also a finalist to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, giving the city a stake in the party's next chapter.
FAQ
Who hosted the Denver conference?
The two-day event was hosted by Majority Democrats, an independent committee and super PAC that describes itself as calling for "a different kind of Democrat."
Which rising figures appeared at the summit?
The lineup included Texas Senator-elect James Talarico, Iowa Senator-elect Josh Turek, Iowa Governor-elect Rob Sand, and rumored 2028 contenders such as Rep. Ro Khanna and former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg.
