Democratic Mayors in Red States Form Coalition to Counter Political Extremes

Fifteen Democratic mayors governing in Republican-dominated states are launching a new political organization designed to serve as a center-left alternative to both the MAGA movement and what they describe as “far-left dysfunction.” The coalition, known as Blue Cities/Red States, is set to officially begin operations next week in Miami with a kickoff event hosted by Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb will lead the group, which oversees cities such as Atlanta, Jacksonville, Boise, Tulsa, and Memphis. Together, these mayors govern a population exceeding 7 million residents across 11 red and purple states, according to a memo outlining the new coalition’s structure.

In an interview with ABC News, Bibb stated that the group aims to function as a testing ground for a post-2024 Democratic message. He argued that by focusing on core governance issues like public safety, affordability, and economic growth, these mayors can help rebuild voter trust. “As Democrats talk about closing the credibility gap, these 15 mayors have been closing that gap in their cities — without the cover of a Democratic governor or a Democratic-led legislature,” Bibb said.

Higgins, who became Miami’s first Democratic mayor in 28 years after her election in December, emphasized the coalition’s commitment to opposing political extremes. “Working for a more united states is a core theme of Blue Cities/Red States, and we do this by pushing back against extremism and promoting a more practical brand of leadership that focuses on results over rhetoric,” she said. She added that the group seeks to balance community advocacy with compromise solutions that deliver tangible outcomes.

According to the memo, the organization plans to establish permanent infrastructure, including national fundraising capabilities, polling and message-testing services, and a paid-media strategy targeting the 2026 and 2028 election cycles.

Bibb also revealed that the coalition is in discussions with members of Congress to align legislative agendas. “We want to influence the next speaker, and the next Congress, and the next president,” he said. “We know what this next Congress should be focused on to address cost and affordability, to address public safety.”

The former mayor highlighted the strategic importance of the group given recent electoral shifts. “As we saw in 2024, the ‘blue wall’ doesn’t exist anymore. So if you want to win in Idaho and Nebraska and Georgia and Arizona and Missouri and Ohio, we’ve got to invest in mayors,” Bibb said, adding that he believes mayors represent the best future for the Democratic Party.

The launch comes ahead of the midterm elections, with a new Wall Street Journal poll indicating that Democrats may gain ground largely due to President Donald Trump’s unpopularity rather than their own party’s image. The poll shows Democratic favorability at 38%, closely trailing the Republican Party’s 39%, while Trump sits at 37%.

The survey also noted low approval ratings for the Democratic Socialists of America, which recorded only a 24% favorable rating. Bibb argued that the coalition aims to address Republican skepticism regarding Democratic competence. “Poll after poll after poll shows that MAGA Republicans and Democrats agree that affordability is the No. 1 issue, but when you look at Republicans — and specifically MAGA Republicans — they don’t trust Democrats to actually execute,” Bibb said. “And this coalition is the answer to that question, and that’s our value proposition long term.”