As November gets closer and closer, Americans – and the media – are focused on the presidential election between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. While who is in the White House is important, it's Congress that has the power of the purse and the ability to create legislation that impacts each and every one of us.
So far, there are three Democrats that have lost their primary election. Two of the three are long-term members whose fathers once held the very same seat.
Losing their primary election is a sign of the internal conflict the Democratic Party is having. Do Democrats stay moderate or go further left? Based on the results, it's clear that Blue Dog Democrats are a thing of the past.
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
Congressman Eliot Engel spent more than 30 years in Congress before voters decided they had enough of him. He currently chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is the most senior incumbent to lose their election cycle.
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Former middle school principal Jamaal Bowman unseated Engel after the congressman was caught on a hot mic. Engel had asked about being included in a speaker lineup at an event in the Bronx.
"If I didn't have a primary, I wouldn't care," Engel told Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
After he was caught, the long-term congressman attempted to spin what happened.
"I care deeply about what's happening in this country, that's what I wanted to convey. I love the Bronx, grew up in the Bronx and lived here all my life," Engel added. "I would not have tried to impose on the borough president if I didn't think it was important."
Rep. Lacy Clay (D-MO)
Rep. Clay, a 10-term congressman, lost his seat to Cori Bush, a progressive who made a name for herself through the Black Lives Matter movement. Bush had 48.9 percent of the vote compared to Clay's 45.5 percent of the vote.
Bush is another candidate of the Justice Democrats – the group responsible for getting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) elected.
Clay's father, Rep. William Clay Sr., was one of the founders of the Congressional Black Caucus. Clay Sr. held the seat for 30 years before his son took over the ranks. The loss is considered a massive blow to the Clay family.
Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL)
Congressman Lipinski made a name for himself as the most conservative Democrat in the House of Representatives. The Democrat, who has been in office since 2005, is a staunch pro-life supporter and refused to support President Obama's reelection campaign in 2012. Lipinski is the only Democrat from Illinois to vote against the Affordable Care Act. He also joined Republicans and other Democrats in the House in filing an amicus curiae brief in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade.
Just like Clay, Lipinski's father held the district seat before him. Bill Lipinski held the seat from 1983 until 2005 when his son took over.
