Former President Bill Clinton said he remains optimistic about Democrats’ chances after three socialist candidates prevailed in notable New York primaries, telling reporters he believes the party is positioned well for November’s midterm elections.
“I think we’re in good shape for the fall,” Clinton told Fox News Digital when asked to weigh in on Tuesday’s election results.
The wins by Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier, Brad Lander and Claire Valdez have intensified an ongoing discussion inside the Democratic Party over whether left-wing campaigns can serve as a viable model for the midterms — and whether they point to a broader path for national success.
Clinton, for his part, did not appear concerned by the outcome.
The former president has often sided with more centrist figures in New York Democratic politics.
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Last year, he backed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary against socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo in the June 2025 Democratic primary and later captured the party’s mayoral nomination.
The results arrive as Democrats continue to debate the ideological identity and future direction of the party.
Although a number of Democrats have welcomed the rise of socialist candidates and the movement behind them, many more traditional party leaders have warned against making socialism the party’s national image and have continued to defend capitalism.
Fox News Digital also asked Clinton about the Iran situation, but the former president dodged the question, declining to answer.
Clinton’s refusal to comment comes as tensions surrounding Iran remain high as the United States and Iran work to navigate a recently announced, fragile peace deal.
After coming to a cease-fire agreement, US forces launched strikes against Iranian targets Friday after Tehran attacked a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump said Thursday, before the strikes, that the US is negotiating with Iran from a “position of pure strength.”
