A former Democratic operative has detailed what she describes as a well-funded ecosystem of donors, consultants, and advocacy groups propelling the progressive movement, arguing it has moved away from its grassroots origins. Evan Barker, author of "Nothing Left: Confessions of a Democratic Operative," contends this shift influenced her decision to defect from the party and support President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Barker, who previously raised funds for candidates ranging from Barack Obama to progressive lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, told Fox News Digital that the Democratic Party's evolution on key issues such as immigration, identity politics, and the "defund the police" movement represents a departure from the party she initially joined.
"I first got activated in Democratic politics when Barack Obama was running in 2008. And if you look at him then and you compare him to the modern movement of the party today, it is just night and day," Barker stated. She expressed dismay at what she perceived as disdain for middle-of-the-country voters, including her own family, who had previously supported Obama but later voted for Trump.
Barker's new book critiques the party's direction, including her hesitation to support Kamala Harris for president. She characterized the modern Democratic Party as "loud but said very little," lacking substance and failing to connect with the economic concerns of everyday Americans.
"When I went to the DNC, I only saw Kamala talk about abortion and shouting out joy," Barker recalled, adding that Harris's focus did not align with issues like the southern border or the economy, nor did it address the struggles faced by people like her mother. Barker left the Democratic National Convention before Harris's speech.
Barker also pointed to the rise of figures like Ocasio-Cortez and members of "the Squad," suggesting their influence has been detrimental to the party. She believes Senator Bernie Sanders's early campaigns in 2015 and 2016 were more moderate on issues like immigration and gun policy compared to his later stances, which she attributes partly to the influence of figures like Ocasio-Cortez.
Barker, who fundraised for groups like the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Left Rising, argued that progressive candidates and organizations, including the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), have increasingly utilized "dark money" super PACs. She stated that these groups, which once shied away from such funding due to principles, have "wised up" and now employ the same tactics as the political establishment, creating a "new donor establishment" within the Democratic Party.
A spokesperson for Darializa Chevalier, a candidate Barker mentioned, denied allegations of accepting corporate PAC money, stating that Chevalier's campaign was funded by over 10,000 individual donors with an average contribution of $66.
According to Barker, messaging in progressive politics is often shaped by organizational leaders, consultants, and donors rather than grassroots sentiment. She cited the example of oil heiress Leah Hunt-Hendrix, whose donor network influenced campaign messaging and policy adoption.
"I would say the majority of the ideas in the Democratic Party are not from the grassroots," Barker asserted. She noted that while the base may have become radicalized and aligns with elite messaging, the origins of these ideas are not organic.
Barker also described a trend where unrelated issues, such as racial justice, environmental justice, or criminal justice reform, were demanded by donors to be incorporated into messaging for organizations focused on specific issues like veterans' affairs or healthcare. She believes this approach eroded public trust and alienated voters.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Democratic Socialists of America, Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani, Chevalier, Sanders, Omar, and Bowman for comment.