In the waning days of October 2025, the Democratic Party found itself at a crossroads, grappling with internal debates, generational challenges, and mounting pressure from both voters and activists. From the streets of Queens to the corridors of Massachusetts politics, the party’s future direction was up for heated discussion, with events and personalities highlighting the complex dilemmas facing Democrats nationwide.
On October 17, City Comptroller Brad Lander made his way to the historic Ridgewood Democratic Club in Queens, New York, to rally support for state Assembly candidate Zohran Mamdani and to discuss a trio of ballot proposals aimed at addressing the city’s deepening affordable housing crisis. The event, which also featured City Council candidate Phil Wong and Civil Court Judge candidate Eve Cho Guillergan, was meant to be a showcase of Democratic unity and grassroots engagement. Yet, it quickly became a flashpoint for broader tensions within the party, as climate activists interrupted Lander’s remarks, demanding swifter action on fossil fuel divestment.
Lander, who rose to prominence in part through civil disobedience—having been arrested twice protesting ICE detentions—was met with both applause and jeers as he took the stage. The protestors, representing groups like Planet Over Profit and New York Communities for Change, voiced frustration over the city’s $300 billion pension funds’ continued ties to companies such as BlackRock, which they accused of investing in polluting industries. In a pointed exchange, Lander defended his record: “Under my leadership, we’ve taken the boldest climate [change] action by far,” he said, according to QNS. “We have already divested $4 billion, the biggest divestment from fossil fuels in the history of the U.S. We’re the only public pension fund in the country that excludes upstream fossil fuel investments from our private equity infrastructure.”
Lander’s comments referenced the city’s progress under the state’s Climate Act, which aims for net-zero emissions by 2040. He touted a 37% reduction in publicly funded emissions since 2019 and investments in renewable energy that have put the office ahead of schedule. Yet, the activists pressed on, highlighting the $60 million still managed through BlackRock and criticizing the stalled proposal to extend fossil fuel divestment to midstream and downstream infrastructure—such as pipelines and natural gas terminals. Lander explained that the proposal had been tabled by other pension board trustees, including Mayor Eric Adams and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, but assured the crowd it would move forward in the fall.
The evening was not solely defined by protest, however. Lander also addressed the urgent need for affordable housing, throwing his support behind three ballot propositions designed to streamline development. The most controversial, proposition four, would establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board, giving the Borough President, City Council Speaker, and Mayor the power to overturn Council rejections of affordable housing projects by a two-to-one vote. “I understand the impulse to have community input and more comprehensive planning,” Lander said. “But right now we are in a dire housing crisis. I wish there was more comprehensive planning to address infrastructure issues, but if we vote no on these proposals, we’re not going to get more infrastructure, just less housing.”
As the debate in Queens unfolded, a parallel generational contest was taking shape in Massachusetts. On October 20, U.S. Representative Seth Moulton, a Marine veteran and self-described moderate Democrat, announced his challenge to incumbent Senator Edward Markey in the 2026 Democratic primary. Moulton’s campaign, as reported by WBZ-TV CBS News Boston, centers on themes of affordability, health care, climate change, banning assault weapons, and protecting democracy—issues he argues require new leadership and a fresh perspective.
Moulton, who has served five terms in Congress and completed four combat tours as a Marine infantry officer, cast his bid as a call for generational change. “We’re in crisis, and with everything we learned last election, I just don’t believe Sen. Markey should be running for another six-year term at 80 years old,” Moulton said in a statement. “Even more, I don’t think someone who’s been in Congress for half a century is the right person to meet this moment and win the future.”
Markey, for his part, is no stranger to tough races. Having previously faced a spirited challenge from Rep. Joe Kennedy III in 2020, Markey has built a reputation as a progressive stalwart, collaborating with New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the Green New Deal. He emphasizes his experience and advocacy on health care, clean energy, and Massachusetts’ interests, and has garnered endorsements from prominent Democratic leaders. The race, as WBUR observed, is emblematic of a broader generational divide within the party, with younger leaders like Moulton arguing that Democrats need to chart a new course to regain their footing after recent electoral setbacks.
Meanwhile, the national scene has been overshadowed by an ongoing government shutdown, which analysts say is symptomatic of deeper strategic woes for the Democratic Party. According to The Hill, Democrats are locked out of power, lack a unifying figurehead, and are struggling with historically low approval ratings. The party’s approach—defined largely by opposition to former President Trump’s agenda—has left many voters unconvinced, with polls from AP-NORC and The Economist/YouGov showing that Americans blame both parties for the shutdown. While 58% blame Trump and Republicans, 54% also blame Democrats, and the gap in public perception is slim.
Most Americans, 64%, say they want elected officials to compromise rather than risk a shutdown, yet only 43% support Democrats’ position on extending health care subsidies, with 42% expressing no opinion at all. Even among Democrats, just 48% believe the party’s position justifies the shutdown. As pollster Douglas E. Schoen and Carly Cooperman noted, “Democrats’ current strategy is not meeting voters where they are.” The data suggest that while voters are dissatisfied with Trump’s handling of the economy and cost of living, Democrats have failed to communicate a compelling alternative. In fact, Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the shutdown more than Democrats by a 10-point margin, and Republicans enjoy a slight edge in trust on economic issues.
The message from voters is clear: resistance alone is not enough. As the Wall Street Journal and Politico have reported, the lack of a clear, issues-driven agenda has contributed to a trust deficit for Democrats, even as they fight to protect core priorities like Social Security and Medicare. The party’s future may well depend on its ability to articulate a positive vision that resonates with voters—one that goes beyond simply opposing the other side.
Whether in the spirited debates of a Queens club, the generational clash in Massachusetts, or the halls of Congress, the Democratic Party’s search for direction continues. The coming months will test whether its leaders can bridge divides, respond to grassroots demands, and present a unified, forward-looking agenda that addresses the real concerns of Americans.
