Pro-Sanders group rebranding into ‘pragmatic progressives’

WASHINGTON — Stinging from the disappointment of Bernie Sanders’ loss in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, supporters pumped millions into the powerful advocacy group Our Revolution to keep the progressive fight alive and prepare for another swing at the White House. “Coming out of Bernie’s 2016 campaign, in some ways the organization was probably more of a bridge organization between the two electoral cycles,” Joseph Geevarghese, Our Revolution’s executive director, said in an interview. But it’s really not the individual more than what he stands for,” he said, “and we’re still committed to that.” Turner’s race also exemplifies Our Revolution’s renewed emphasis on on-the-ground organizing. “We’re not getting Medicare for All, but we can get major pieces of it,” Our Revolution Board Chair Larry Cohen said on the same call where Turner spoke. “That is Our Revolution and Sen. Sanders really energizing that progressive base out there — and that base has made itself known in the electoral context.” With the midterms approaching, Our Revolution doesn’t plan to stop supporting progressives who challenge more moderate Democrats in primaries — even as the party clings to its narrow majority in both chambers.