Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Christian Celeste Tate, New York State Assembly District 54

After the election of mayor Zohran Mamdani in 2025, the Democratic Socialists of America are flexing their muscle in races all over New York City, putting forward 10 candidates at the federal and state levels. One of these candidates is Christian Celeste Tate (he/him), a biracial millennial consultant who works with nonprofits to fight poverty, reduce inequality, and bring about social change. Christian’s platform calls for abolishing ICE, fighting predatory real estate investors, taxing the rich, and using grassroots organizing and electoral campaigning to build a socialist movement across the city.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Angela Gonzales-Torres, California's 34th Congressional District

This cycle, we are profiling another candidate, Angela Gonzalez-Torres (she/her), a Chicana millennial and community organizer in Los Angeles. She is running in the Congressional district that represents both Downtown and East Los Angeles. After time working on the Highland Park Neighborhood Council, Metro’s Public Safety Advisory Committee, and in the LA Mayor’s office, this district native is now running a grassroots, student-led, community-informed campaign to face the challenges of the highest costs of incarceration, the dirtiest air in Los Angeles County, and the largest number of eviction notices in the city. Angela’s top campaign issues include housing for all, economic dignity and security, healthcare for all, climate action, education and youth empowerment, immigration reform and community advocacy, and a pro-peace foreign policy.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Caitlyn Gegen, Georgia's 9th Congressional District

This article is about Caitlyn Gegen (she/her), a Gen-Z graduate of the University of Georgia and resident of Suwanee, and our best fight against Andrew Clyde. Caitlyn’s top three political issues are human rights, affordable living, and universal healthcare. She says, “by human rights, I mean the right to vote, a woman’s right to her own body, and the right to due process. To protect all of these rights, we need representatives who will bring an inclusive approach to policy making, and are willing to improve the democratic institutions in our country.” Caitlyn’s platform includes raising the federal minimum wage to at least $15 an hour, pushing for universal healthcare, investing in clean energy projects across Georgia, and breaking up corporate monopolies to help small businesses and consumers.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 58Andrew FMay 7, 2026gen-z, gun violence, gun control, election, community work, community contributorComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2025 - Latasha Palmer, Tacoma, WA City Council At-large position 6

One progressive candidate we are profiling is Latasha Palmer (she/her), is looking to make a difference in her community on the city council in her first-ever election. Latasha, a queer Black millennial woman, is running to expand the political power of labor unions, build a green local economy, protect LGBTQ+ rights, and uplift BIPOC leadership. At one point homeless, Latasha became the first person in her family’s history to graduate from college (Columbia University) and went on to work as a community organizer at the Hilltop Action Coalition and the Aya Community Land Trust. Devoted to the natural environment, this anime fan and devoted mother of three still finds peace in the great outdoors.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2025 - Katie Wilson, Mayor of Seattle, WA

Even though it is an “off-year” for elections, several large US cities are holding mayoral elections this year, including New York City and San Antonio. In Seattle’s open primary, millennial progressive activist and community organizer Katie Wilson (she/her) came in first, ahead of Seattle’s current establishment mayor. Now a run-off is scheduled for Election Day in November between the two. Katie is the co-founder and executive director of the Transit Riders Union, a group that focuses on improving public transport and workers' rights. As she says, “I am most passionate about making Seattle a city that's affordable for working families. That means tackling the affordable housing crisis, bringing people inside, protecting our immigrant and LGBTQ+ community members from attacks from the Trump administration, expanding workers' and renters' rights, and addressing the crisis of childcare for young families, among others issues our city faces.”

Refuge is a Rock 'n' Roll Musical Melting Pot

Inspired by music icons like Queen and the blending of genres like rock and blues, Refuge has created a sound unique to them. Their newly released single, Bored, exemplifies just that and with their upcoming album we’re sure to hear more of their diverse sound. Beyond the music, Refuge is dedicated to helping their community. Working with organizations like Newham Music Trust to bring music education to children, Music Venue Trust to keep small venues for small artists open, and supporting The Oasis Hub food, toy, and clothing pantries. To learn more about Refuge and their upcoming album, read on.