Progressives Distancing from 'Woke 1' Policies as Election Strategy Shifts

Progressive politicians are increasingly stepping away from the policy stances and terminology that characterized the period around the 2020 pandemic, a time referred to as "Woke 1." This strategic recalibration aims to focus on contemporary issues and policies that directly benefit constituents, a move that appears to be gaining traction in primary election victories.

What Happened

Key figures, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have publicly distanced themselves from "Woke 1" policies. Ocasio-Cortez quoted New York City Council member Chi Ossé's statement that "Woke 1 was crazy." This sentiment reflects a broader strategy emerging among Democrats, particularly those in newly victorious primaries in New York, Colorado, and Michigan. The new approach involves downplaying or retracting earlier stances on issues such as pandemic masking, defunding the police, and broader social justice vocabulary from that era. Instead, the focus is shifting to present-day concerns and policies intended to improve people's lives.

Key Facts

• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez referred to "Woke 1" policies from around the 2020 pandemic as "crazy."
• Chi Ossé, a New York City Council member, is credited with the phrase "Woke 1 was crazy."
• Zohran Mamdani, now mayor of New York, previously walked back his support for defunding the police during his 2025 mayoral campaign.
• Darializa Avila Chevalier, a DSA-backed congressional candidate, won her primary despite resurfaced deleted posts, including one stating "all deportations are wrong."
• Francesca Hong, a Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate, focused her 2025 primary campaign on issues like data centers and education funding, moving away from earlier "cancel Thanksgiving"-type stances.
• Republicans have struggled to make past "Woke 1" issues stick in high-profile races since 2024.
• Skepticism toward specific "Woke 1" litmus tests was noted among ordinary voters, especially minority voters, from the outset.
• At George Floyd's memorial in Houston, there was no consensus on defunding the police but a shared agreement on racial injustice and institutional distrust.

Background

The strategy of distancing from "Woke 1" issues appears to be proving electorally effective, with primary voters seemingly granting progressives a period to reintroduce themselves after a period of intense focus on specific ideological debates. While Republicans aim to leverage these past stances in general elections, their efforts have seen limited success in recent high-profile contests. The ease with which terms like "wokeness" are used in national media can oversimplify diverse electorate views and frame genuine arguments about equity and inclusion within a conservative narrative. Analysis of the 2020 period suggests a significant divide not just between left and right, but between a more professionally oriented, identity-politics-focused segment of the population and the broader public. Many ordinary voters, particularly those from minority communities, expressed skepticism toward the precise ideological tests associated with "Woke 1" even when its proponents were actively promoting them.

Why It Matters

This evolving political approach indicates a potential shift in how progressive movements engage with the electorate. By prioritizing practical policy and present-day concerns over past ideological battles, candidates may be seeking to broaden their appeal beyond a core base. This strategy attempts to counter Republican efforts to use cultural flashpoints to mobilize voters. The observation that voters, especially minority voters, exhibited skepticism toward "Woke 1" litmus tests suggests that a focus on tangible improvements in daily life may resonate more broadly than abstract ideological debates.