Former Bernie Sanders Operative Criticizes Democratic Party’s Shift

A former operative for Bernie Sanders has voiced concerns about the current state of the Democratic Party. She warns that the far left has taken control of the party. Evan Barker, in a conversation on ‘Jesse Watters Primetime,’ described how the Democratic establishment’s efforts to curb the influence of the far left have backfired. These efforts began in 2020 after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won office, causing the party to blacklist certain elements, which inadvertently strengthened the far left.

Throughout her career, Barker raised funds for Democratic candidates. However, she now supports voting for Trump in the 2024 election. She believes the Democratic establishment’s attempt to control the progressive faction led activists to create their own support network, involving training new leaders and recruiting influential donors, even billionaires.

Barker contends that this internal dynamic has resulted in a party heavily influenced by its activist base, donors, and staff. Many of these individuals reportedly hold views further left than the politicians they support. She observes this shift even in Bernie Sanders’ policies on issues such as guns and immigration.

I’ve seen him kind of be dragged further and further to the left by what he views as his message bearers, like AOC and Ilhan Omar and now Abdul El-Sayed, Barker commented.

This transition occurs as progressive candidates and democratic socialists look to test their influence before midterm elections. Among these candidates is Abdul El-Sayed, cited by Barker as one of Sanders’ emerging message bearers, who recently won the Democratic nomination for a Michigan Senate seat in a tight race against Rep. Haley Stevens. Other significant primary victories include Mamdani-backed candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez in New York.

Barker disclosed to Fox News Digital that the Democratic Party’s movement to the left prompted her to leave the party. Her political involvement was inspired by Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, yet she finds today’s party significantly more left-leaning on crucial issues like immigration and identity politics.

She noted that Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and Kamala Harris’s nomination marked a realization for her of the changes within the Democratic Party.

The report also acknowledges contributions from Fox News’ Robert McGreevy and Taylor Penley, an associate editor for Fox News Digital and contributor to Fox Business and Fox Nation.