How Democrats Are Able to Accomplish So Much.

The article examines the Democratic Party's strategic approach to primary elections, highlighting its success in consolidating support behind preferred candidates to avoid contested primaries. This practice, evident in the 2022 midterms and continuing into 2024, has enabled Democrats to present unified nominees, which contributes to legislative effectiveness despite narrow congressional majorities. Examples include several key races where potential contenders withdrew or declined to run, allowing candidates like Elissa Slotkin and Josh Shapiro to face little or no primary opposition. While this approach fosters party cohesion and pragmatic governance, the article notes potential downsides, such as reduced candidate diversity and less responsiveness to local constituencies.