Does the Progressive Movement Still Have Juice? Summer Lee’s About to Find Out.

Violence in Israel and Gaza has shaken Democratic politics, and progressives in western Pennsylvania are trying to hang on.

Summer Lee

Summer Lee told NOTUS the intense national focus on her position on Israel detracts from other issues voters care about. Matt Rourke/AP

Rep. Summer Lee’s primary isn’t just about Summer Lee: It’s a test of whether the young progressive movement in western Pennsylvania still has the influence that launched her political career six years ago, especially now with fighting in Israel amplifying intraparty divides.

“We have totally surprised everyone with how we’ve been able to win the mayor of Pittsburgh’s office, how we’ve been able to win the Allegheny County Executive, how every board, every council, every everything around here now has at least several of us,” said Kenny Mostern, the local leader in Pittsburgh for JVP Action, the PAC associated with Jewish Voice for Peace.

“The trend is for our numbers to increase. But they’re doing everything they can to put an end to it.”