Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Jaelynn Scott, Washington House of Representatives, District 37

Jaelynn Scott (she/her) a trans rights activist and transplant from Mississippi, is a democratic socialist and if elected would be one of two serving in the Washington legislature. Jaelynn won over 88% of the vote in her Democratic primary last month and if she wins in the general election in November will be the first trans state representative in Washington’s history and the first Black openly trans state lawmaker elected in the country. Ironically, this fall she will be on the ballot with a conservative-backed initiative to bar transgender girls from competing in girls’ school sports. This ordained Buddhist minister is most passionate about investing in Black and Brown communities, LGBTQ+ rights, taxing the rich, universal housing, universal healthcare, protecting the environment, and fighting for the working class.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Jessie Lopez, California State Assembly District 68

In the city of Santa Ana, Councilwoman Jessie Lopez (she/her) is running as a Democrat for State Assembly against her fellow councilmember David Penaloza, also a Democrat. A Latina millennial, Jessie got her start in public service as a volunteer with the Public Law Center and as a campaigner against sexual assaults occurring on and around her college campus, before being elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 2020. Jessie is most passionate about and is centering her campaign around affordable housing, Medicare for All, protecting and fully funding public schools, investing in young people, abolishing ICE, advancing environmental justice, expanding economic opportunity, and creating meaningful police accountability.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 59Andrew FSeptember 15, 2026latina, latinx, millenial, city, assemble, election 2026, universal healthcareComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Tammy Carpenter, Oregon House of Representatives District 27

The Democratic Socialists are on the rise all over the country, including (unsurprisingly) progressive Oregon. In the Portland area, an anesthesiologist named Dr. Tammy Carpenter (she/her) is an unapologetic Democratic Socialists, having joined in 2016 during the presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders. Over her 20 years as an anesthesiologist she witnessed patients seeking treatment who couldn’t afford healthcare deductibles or healthcare plans themselves, watching patients drowning in debt. One of the three pillars of her campaign is universal healthcare, as well as taxing the rich and funding the people.

The Price of Breathing Between Borders

A comparison between the healthcare services around the US and Mexico, is it possible that these bordersharing countries could be experiencing a very similar healthcare crisis?

Articles, zIssue 58.2María Paula CastroAugust 3, 2026medical aid, medicine, healthcare, universal healthcare, Mexico, usaComment

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Lilliana Young, Indiana House of Representatives District 61

Lilliana Young (she/her) is a millennial trans woman who identifies as a Democratic Socialist. Describing herself as “extremely gay”, she does not shy away from the LGBTQ+ label, in a state that is generally not friendly to the LGBTQ+ community. But that is not deterring her. As a member of the Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission (BMCHRC), Lilliana is invested in expanding socialist policies in Indiana, from public housing options, to expanding and strengthening state Medicaid, and she has also had success strengthening local protections for LGBTQ+ persons in her hometown of Bloomington. A bass guitarist, she has technical experience as a writer and script editor, trailer editor, music producer, marketing lead and community manager in indie game development. Lilliana is basing her campaign around six main issues: wage and worker’s rights, access to housing, access to health care, strengthening public education, accountability of government and human rights.

Is Leaving America Worth It?

With the recent election results putting Trump into office once again, the fear of his second term bringing even worse consequences this time around is widely shared. Many Americans have been heavily considering leaving the country to try and counteract the effect his presidency will have on them.

Though, with every big decision comes its positives and negatives. Here are a few pros and cons to leaving America that you should consider before making your decision.