CHICAGO — Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said the Democratic Party has become unrecognizable from the one he once knew, claiming that far-left activists now dominate its direction.
Speaking Saturday on Breitbart News Saturday, Blagojevich, a Democrat, described the party as being led by what he called a “lunatic fringe,” which he said is forcing out more moderate members.
“It’s a different time right now. The Democratic Party is a very different party,” Blagojevich said. “And these crazy left-wing socialists are chasing at them — the more reasonable Democrats.”
He singled out Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) as an example of a more traditional Democrat, noting that while Durbin is a “professional politician,” he is “not a crazy left-wing lunatic socialist.”
Blagojevich, who served as Illinois governor from 2003 to 2009 and was later convicted on federal corruption charges, predicted the 2026 midterm elections will defy typical political patterns. He argued that Democrats, currently in the minority, will face difficulties due to the influence of their party’s left wing.
“Democrats are going to run far to the left,” he said. “They need to pander to the energy of the party, which is the grassroots left-wing bridge of the party.”
Blagojevich suggested that this could create opportunities for Republicans and other candidates he described as “reasonable people who have common sense” to win in traditionally Democratic areas.
