Competition among influence groups in the Democratic Party: the Obama network strengthens its position ahead of the elections

The approach of the 2026 midterm elections has intensified competition among several intraparty factions within the Democratic Party. A number of groups from traditional Democratic elites, who have held leadership positions in the party for decades and consolidated around the political entourage of Bill Clinton, announced the end of their political careers throughout 2025 and early 2026.

Thus, in November 2025, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and longtime Democratic leader in the lower chamber of Congress Nancy Pelosi stated that her current term as congresswoman, which ends in January 2027, would be her last.

A number of other influential Democratic congressmen announced that they would not run for the next sessions of Congress.