Play-to-Win Dems Lead the Party Forward at WelcomeFest, Mark Cuban: “Do You Care About the State of Democracy When You Can’t Afford Your Bills?”
WASHINGTON, DC– Today, WelcomeFest’s annual convening hosted Democrats from across the country—all united around a results-focused approach to regaining power. Headlined by Mark Cuban and a host of battleground candidates and red-to-blue Democratic elected officials, the gathering underscored the momentum behind the centrist faction on the left.
On the mainstage, Senator Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, Bobby Pulido, recording artist and candidate for TX-15, Jamie Ager, farmer and candidate for NC-11, Democratic Representatives Adam Gray, CA-13, George Whitesides, CA-27, Tom Suozzi, NY-3, Don Davis, NC-1, Gabe Vasquez, NM-2, Vincente Gonzalez, TX-34, Greg Landsman, OH-1 and pundits Matthew Yglesias, Josh Barro, and James Carville all highlighted the middle ground that Democrats can seize to to win elections and govern effectively—in line with vast majority of the country.
The consensus: the Democratic Party needs help, and moderation is a key part of resuscitating its brand, coupled with kitchen-table issues and an understanding that applying the same strategy to every district will not consolidate support in areas where Democrats are losing and where voters are ideologically heterodox. Democrats who are running successfully against MAGA Republicans in rural, red districts made the case for a big tent, touting the need to rebuild trust in government, grow coalitions, and decrease polarization.
WelcomeFest’s third iteration is its largest, with records in attendees, speakers, and elected officials attending the day-long event. Welcome’s brand has extended to a WelcomeStack Substack and a host of policy and electoral initiatives designed to broaden the reach and voice of pragmatic moderate and win-first politicians and thought leaders on the left.
See highlight quotes and clips from the sessions below.
Mark Cuban on the Cost of Living’s Effect on Voters
“If you can't afford your deductible for health care, do you give a fuck about policy? If you can't afford to fill up the gas tank, do you give a fuck about policy, right? If you know beef is too damn high, and oranges, bananas, etc… do you really care about policy? Do you care about the state of democracy, if you can't afford your bills? No.”
Mark Cuban, businessman - clip
Bobby Pulido on the Messaging Needed to Win Back Rural Voters
“Us rural people have learned to live with less. Money is not our chief motivation. Do you know what our chief motivation is? It's respect.
If you respect me and don't try to change me and just try to make my life a little better, I respect that, and rural voters will vote for you... because if they feel like you disrespect them, they will never vote for you.”
Bobby Pulido, musician and candidate for TX-15 - clip
Rep. Gabe Vasquez on an Alternative Vision to Restore Voters’ Confidence
“We can lead with values, and we can restore confidence in voters that not only are we going to oppose ICE, not only are we going to oppose the draconian tactics of this administration … we're going to provide a sensible alternative, which the majority of Americans actually want to see - a right, a legal, a fair, a just system that includes border security and that includes fairness to the American worker.”
Representative Gabe Vasquez, NM-2 - clip
Jamie Ager on Democrats Reclaiming Patriotism
“I was frustrated with politics. I was frustrated with both political parties, but I am a patriot, and I love our country, and I want our country to do well. It’s crazy, whenever I say that, so many liberals are like, ‘Ah, you're a patriot.’ I'm like, ‘Yeah, I am.’ I love this country, and that's what I'm all about. We need a good, strong two-party system in this country, no question. And I feel like the Democratic Party needs a little help.”
Jamie Ager, farmer and candidate for NC-11 - clip