Source: Politics<\/p>\n
Five years ago, Bernie Sanders\u2019 supporters were steamrolled by the Democratic establishment in Nevada\u2019s presidential caucus.<\/p>\n
This weekend, pro-Sanders forces finally got their revenge.<\/p>\n
A slate of uber-progressive Sanders allies, endorsed by the tightly organized Democratic Socialists of America\u2019s local chapter, won control of the Nevada Democratic Party in leadership elections on Saturday. On the losing side was one of the most powerful forces in Democratic politics: the well-oiled operation run by former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.<\/p>\n
The takeover of the state party, aka the Reid machine, represents a dramatic turnaround from the 2016 presidential race, when Sanders fans were accused of throwing chairs and making violent threats at a wild convention in Nevada \u2014 charges they vehemently deny to this day.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a development that could have effects that stretch well beyond state borders \u2014 and a sign that Sanders himself is playing a long game in the battle for control of the Democratic Party.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means that the progressive movement is getting stronger, that more and more people are getting actively engaged,\u201d said Judith Whitmer, the new chair of the Nevada Democratic Party. \u201cInstead of just walking away or saying nothing is ever going to happen, we\u2019re just determined to make it happen. More and more people are feeling the same way around the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the near term, the upheaval in the party could have ramifications on the 2022 midterms \u2014 establishment-oriented Democrats are worried that what they consider to be a new and inexperienced team will be ill-prepared to take on Republicans next year in the swing state. The left insists it is ready. But there are also implications beyond the current election cycle for the progressive movement nationwide, and perhaps even the 2024 presidential election.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Whitmer will meet virtually with Faiz Shakir, Sanders\u2019 chief political adviser, according to people familiar with the gathering. Keenan Korth, campaign manager for the winning slate of party officers, will also attend. One immediate topic of discussion will likely be fundraising: Apparently seeing the writing on the wall, the state party moved $450,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee<\/a> shortly before power changed hands in Saturday\u2019s election.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s basically a call to get an understanding of what they\u2019re facing and what they need help with \u2014 support in the immediate term \u2014 and making sure they\u2019re in a position to succeed,\u201d said a Sanders aide who declined to speak on the record. \u201cIt\u2019s a critical state for Democrats.\u201d<\/p>\n The toppling of the state party has been years in the making. Whitmer, who was chair of the Clark County Democratic Party until stepping down this month, said she contacted the DSA two years ago about filling seats in the central committee, which is the body that elects the party\u2019s officers. Sanders\u2019 political operation also sent texts late last year to the senator\u2019s supporters to encourage them to run for those seats in Las Vegas\u2019 Clark County, the most populous county in the state, said several sources familiar with the effort.<\/p>\n Progressives who were active in pushing for new party leadership said the 2016 caucus was the catalyst that drove many of them to participate in Democratic state politics. Sanders lost narrowly to Hillary Clinton in the February caucuses, leaving some on the left ruminating that they could have won if they\u2019d done more. At the bitterly contested state convention months later, where presidential delegates to the national convention were finalized, Sanders fans also left feeling that the Nevada Democratic Party had rigged the process.<\/p>\n \u201cThe leadership there in Nevada hijacked the process on the floor, created a tremendous amount of angst among people who were there attending the convention, who were supporters of Sen. Sanders, by ignoring the regular procedure and ramming through what they wanted to do,\u201d said Jeff Weaver<\/a>, Sanders\u2019 then-campaign manager, at the time.<\/p>\n