Progressive Caucus Elects Greg Casar as New Chair Amid Calls for Democratic Party Rebranding

Casar advocates for a stronger focus on economic issues and warns against 'preachy' politics after Democrats' election losses.

Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) has been unanimously elected as the new chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, succeeding Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
Casar, known for his progressive policies and past efforts to reallocate police funding in Austin, Texas, calls for a shift in Democratic messaging to prioritize economic issues over cultural debates.
His election comes after Vice President Kamala Harris's loss to President-elect Donald Trump, which has sparked internal Democratic debates about the party's direction and voter outreach strategies.
Casar criticized the Democratic Party for appearing 'preachy or disconnected' and emphasized the need to reconnect with working-class voters while maintaining support for marginalized communities.
He suggests reframing cultural issues, such as transgender rights, to highlight economic concerns and counter Republican narratives that focus on divisive social topics.