Who will own the Bernie Sanders lane in 2028?

The massive grassroots movement that twice rallied behind Bernie Sanders' presidential bids is facing a big question: Who will emerge as its next leader?

The massive grassroots movement that twice rallied behind a Bernie Sanders presidential bid is facing its most consequential question yet: Who will emerge as its next leader?

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With the race for the White House still two years away, fierce behind-the-scenes competition is already underway for the voters, operatives and organizational muscle that powered Sanders’ insurgent campaigns. The outcome may well determine whether the hard left can mount a serious challenge for the Democratic nomination or whether the progressive lane fractures before the race even begins.

Interviews with more than a dozen major liberal groups, progressive activists, operatives and elected officials reveal that many in the most liberal faction of the party are not yet sold on one person; they’re open to a number of candidates, including those who are not perfectly aligned with litmus test principles of the past.