1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

As a lifelong registered Democrat and a voter who has canvassed, campaigned, and committed years of my life to the cause of democratic governance, I am sounding the alarm today — because our party is failing. The Democratic Party is hemorrhaging public trust, especially among young voters and working-class Americans. It has grown too comfortable, too insular, and far too afraid of its own base. Instead of boldly defending its values — fairness, equality, justice, and accountability — it now defends incumbency and corporate access. Instead of elevating rising leaders who want to reinvigorate our message and confront extremism, the party establishment is trying to muzzle them. Which brings me to David Hogg. Hogg’s decision to support primary challengers against ineffective Democrats is not a betrayal of the party — it is an act of loyalty to its principles. It is the only morally and strategically sound path in an era where Republicans are openly dismantling democratic norms while our leadership defends the status quo. That the DNC is threatening to punish him for this is disgraceful. The Democratic Party should not be a protective shell for politicians who coast in safe seats while failing to deliver. We cannot keep allowing nominal Democrats who vote against the platform — or who disappear from fights that matter — to wear the label uncontested. The party’s neutrality policy is a tool to enforce complacency and protect power, not to strengthen democracy. David Hogg is doing what the DNC should be doing: curating candidates who actually represent our values, activating young voters, and demanding performance from our representatives — especially those in safe seats with no excuse not to lead. I’m asking you to publicly oppose the DNC’s attempt to silence him. Make clear that you support vigorous, values-based primaries. Reclaim the party’s backbone. Stand with those trying to revive the Democratic cause — not those trying to bury it in bureaucracy. If we don’t evolve, we will lose. And we will deserve to.