Suburban Democrats Have Stopped Pretending to Be Moderates

Suburban Democrats have ripped off their masks of moderation and thrown them away. They clearly feel not only emboldened, but untouchable – unable to be defeated by Republicans. Like California Democrats, they now focus on virtue-signaling, culture wars – and hating President Trump.

Democratic politicians and activists with “Hate Has No Home Here” lawns signs now feel secure expressing their hatred for Trump and calling Republicans “fascists” and “nazis.” They poke Republicans whenever the spirits move them through social media posts and the enactment of left-wing policies and votes cast from school board and county meetings to the legislative chambers in Harrisburg and Congress in Washington.

In reality, Democratic officeholders in suburbia fear challenges from the far left much more than challenges from Republicans. For electoral survival, Democratic officeholders post, rally, and vote for every progressive ideologically-driven policy and piece of legislation.

Gone are the days from 10 or even five years ago when Democrats were the underdogs – or even newly-elected – talking of “moderation” and “bipartisanship.” They spoke about the economy and problem-solving – and even engaged in moderate “virtue-signaling” by attending Chamber events and sprinkling their speeches with references to Republicans. They even poked fun at newly-elected U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Now, their speeches defend men in women’s sports, open borders, and free healthcare for illegal immigrants. They oppose removal of illegal immigrants with criminal records, and, moreover, excuse antisemitism or violence – counseling us about riots and assassinations. AOC is now lionized.

As an example of this shift, the official Facebook page of the Chester County Democratic Committee has just completed a 14-day posting of “How to Identify a Fascist.”

In their most recent, glaring example in governing, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery County commissioners each just created “Human Relations Commissions,” political appointments that regulate and enforce progressive-minded speech and behavior, even in small businesses, day cares, health clubs, and local youth sports league. They subject violators to “star-chamber counseling,” hearings, shaming, and even fines.

These same Democrat-ruled county commissioner boards have recently grown government by 2-3 times the rate of inflation. They’ve raised taxes, too: 13% this year in Chester; 13% and 9%, respectively, in 2024 and 2025 in Montgomery; and 22% this year in Delco. Chester County has even grown its C-suite – recently creating a “Chief Experience Officer” with a compensation package over $200,000.

The suburban Congressional delegation has moved further left with their voting records – approaching 99% opposition to Speaker Mike Johnson. And their social media has become increasingly partisan. U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan used to boast about being a member of the bipartisan “problem solvers” caucus. Now, her official Facebook page has gone from occasional “warm and fuzzy” posts – touring local businesses or attending congressional hearings – to assaulting all things Republican. In a recent 5-day period, she posted 23 times – 15 of those attacking Republicans, Trump, or his cabinet.

They’re appeasing the “progressive gods” instead of governing or seeking common ground.

From around 2015-2022, to win over then-“pale red” or “purple” communities, they campaigned as kinder, gentler suburbanites – even Republican-lite. The subtle message was: “We’re your neighbors. Republicans have become too mean. So, we’re stepping forth, as a safe alternative. It’s not about party, let alone ideology. We’re moderate alternatives to ‘them.’”

Since then, beginning in the Covid era and especially in the last 18 months, suburban Democrats are revealing their true identity. They are loud, proud, and in your face. They are the force driving Democrats toward a louder and ever-leftward path.  

To those business and community leaders or voters seeking to comfort themselves or defend their legislators as “not crazy like those progressives,” here’s a reality check: if your officials vote with, support, enable (or tweet about) left-wing, progressive policies … they’re progressives, maybe even left-wing. They’re not “moderate.”

Moreover, you’re trying to convince yourself of something not even suburban Democrats are trying to do anymore. Gone are the days that even they use the word “moderate” – or its cousin: “bipartisan.”

The suburbs remain ground zero for the culture war battles in public schools over the role of parents, books, curriculum, genders, CRT, equity, and who can play in women’s sports or use their bathrooms and lockers. These are policies advanced and defended by suburban Democrats. These battles are not happening in rural Pennsylvania, nor frankly even in Philadelphia.

When it comes to battles in Harrisburg and Washington, our suburban Democrats are singing from the progressive song book: don’t secure the border; keep Kilmar “the Maryland man” (with a criminal record in America and Central America) in America; men should play women’s sports; spend more and more; free medical coverage for illegal immigrants; “it’s a shame that Charlie Kirk was assassinated, but…”; and government must permit performing “gender affirming care” (another Orwellian term) on minors, even under 10.

Even in this era when progressives believe that you are able to call yourself anything you wish and everyone else has to honor it, it’s become impossible to call them “moderates.” Again, the interesting part of the last year or so is that the veil of moderation – the theatre of moderation – has largely disappeared.

Absolute power corrupts. It also emboldens.

The veil is off. They feel untouchable … Are they?