Democratic Mayors in Red States Launch New Group to Counter Extremes

Fifteen Democratic mayors governing in Republican-dominated states have launched a new political organization, Blue Cities/Red States, intended to influence national politics as a center-left alternative to the MAGA movement and what they describe as "far-left dysfunction."

The coalition, co-led by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, represents cities including Atlanta, Jacksonville, Boise, Tulsa, and Memphis. Collectively, these mayors govern more than 7 million Americans across 11 states that are considered red or purple.

Bibb stated that the group hopes to serve as a testing ground for a post-2024 Democratic message, focusing on issues such as public safety, affordability, and economic growth. He emphasized that these mayors operate in environments where they must often govern against Republican opposition without the support of Democratic governors or state legislatures.

"As Democrats talk about closing the credibility gap, these 15 mayors have been closing that gap in their cities -- without the cover of a Democratic governor or a Democratic-led legislature," Bibb said in an interview.

Higgins highlighted the group's commitment to a "more united states" by pushing back against extremism and promoting practical leadership that prioritizes results over rhetoric. She noted the importance of balancing advocacy for their communities with finding compromise solutions.

The organization plans to establish a permanent national platform, fundraising and organizational infrastructure, polling and message testing capabilities, and a national paid-media strategy targeting the 2026 and 2028 election cycles.

Bibb indicated that the group is also in discussions with members of Congress to align their agendas. "We want to influence the next speaker, and the next Congress, and the next president. We know what this next Congress should be focused on to address cost and affordability, to address public safety," he stated.

He further suggested that investing in mayors in these diverse states is crucial for expanding the Democratic Party's reach. "I think long term, it's leaders like this that allows us to expand the map. As we saw in 2024, the 'blue wall' doesn't exist anymore. So if you want to win in Idaho and Nebraska and Georgia and Arizona and Missouri and Ohio, we’ve got to invest in mayors, and I think mayors represent the best future for the Democratic Party."

The formation of Blue Cities/Red States comes as national polling indicates low approval ratings for Democrats, with a recent Wall Street Journal poll showing a 38% favorability rating for the party, slightly behind the Republican Party's 39%. The poll also showed the Democratic Socialists of America with a 24% favorable rating.

Bibb expressed hope that by supporting these mayors, the coalition can help build trust among Republicans. "You know, poll after poll after poll shows that MAGA Republicans and Democrats agree that affordability is the No. 1 issue, but when you look at Republicans -- and specifically MAGA Republicans -- they don't trust Democrats to actually execute. And this coalition is the answer to that question, and that's our value proposition long term,” Bibb said.