The House’s progressive “Squad” could emerge from November’s midterm elections twice as large as it is today, potentially giving the far-left bloc significantly greater leverage over Democratic priorities and legislation in the next Congress, the NY Post reports.

A string of victories by left-wing candidates in Democratic primaries around the country has positioned several new figures to enter the House next year, with many running in heavily Democratic districts where victory in November is considered highly likely.

The group, which currently numbers roughly seven members, could grow to as many as 14.

Two of the candidates considered almost certain to join Congress hail from New York City, the political home of “Squad” founder Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Claire Valdez, who has called for nationwide rent control if elected, cruised to victory in the June Democratic primary for New York’s 7th Congressional District. Because of the district’s overwhelming Democratic advantage, Valdez is heavily favored in November. The district includes Bushwick and other sections of Brooklyn that have increasingly become a center of far-left political activism.

Another likely newcomer is Darializa Chevalier, 32, who participated in an anti-Israel demonstration one day after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. Chevalier has previously argued that the United States has committed atrocities worse than those committed by Hamas and has made comments blaming American policies for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Chevalier prevailed in her June Democratic primary and is widely expected to capture New York’s 10th Congressional District, which includes Harlem.

A number of other left-wing candidates around the country could also swell the Squad’s ranks.

Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old socialist in Colorado who would become the first Gen Z woman elected to Congress, defeated a 15-term Democratic incumbent. Her upset drew comparisons to Ocasio-Cortez’s stunning 2018 primary victory over longtime Queens Rep. Joe Crowley.

In New Jersey, Adam Hamawy, a 56-year-old Princeton plastic surgeon endorsed by Ocasio-Cortez, captured the Democratic nomination in a district that strongly favors his party. Hamawy also has the backing of Justice Democrats, the progressive organization that played a major role in Ocasio-Cortez’s rise. While a medical student, Hamawy traveled with Omar Abdel-Rahman, the “Blind Sheikh” who was later convicted in connection with the 1993 World Trade Center bombing plot.

Texas pastor Frederick Haynes, 65, handily captured his Democratic primary in March. Haynes, who also received the support of Justice Democrats, has sought to stake out positions to the left of Rep. Jasmine Crockett.

In Philadelphia, Chris Rabb, 56, defeated establishment-supported opponents in one of the most Democratic congressional districts in America. Rabb, who calls himself a Democratic Socialist and has described himself as a “radical” and “rabble-rouser,” received endorsements from Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic Socialists of America and Justice Democrats. Among the policies he has supported are government-operated grocery stores. With no Republican candidate challenging him, Rabb is effectively assured of winning the seat.

Michigan activist William Lawrence, 36, also secured his party’s nomination. Lawrence co-founded the progressive Sunrise Movement and previously praised controversial streamer Hasan Piker, telling him, “You’re the man!” Unlike many of the other prospective Squad additions, however, Lawrence is competing in a swing district where the November outcome remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, traders on the prediction market Polymarket have placed Democrats’ chances of winning control of the House at 88%.

If Democrats do capture the chamber, a substantially enlarged Squad could become an important voting bloc capable of influencing whether major legislation advances or collapses. Its members could also push initiatives such as abolishing ICE or pursuing impeachment proceedings against President Trump, causes embraced by members of the original Squad.

One former House leadership aide predicted that the enlarged group would remain unwilling to bend on its priorities.

“They will not compromise,” the former aide said.

Its growth could also pull the broader Democratic caucus further to the left, according to longtime Republican strategist Doug Heye.

“It’s becoming a bigger part of the party,” Heye told The Post. “They will be the loudest voices pushing for impeachment,” he said of the radical group.

The term “Squad” dates back to the aftermath of the 2018 midterm elections. Ocasio-Cortez posted an Instagram photograph of herself with fellow incoming Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts during freshman orientation, captioning the picture simply “Squad.”

The nickname quickly became permanently associated with the four progressive lawmakers.

The group subsequently became embroiled in a high-profile dispute with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi following controversy over Omar comparing the United States and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban. President Trump also repeatedly invoked the Squad label while attacking the lawmakers and arguing that they were driving Democrats sharply to the left.

“The ‘Squad’ is a very racist group of troublemakers who are young, inexperienced, and not very smart. They are pulling the once great Democrat Party far left,” he wrote in one series of tweets that June.

{Matzav.com}