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Axios Reports on Democrats' New Campaign Tactic: Bringing Sexy Back

Brett T.
Brett T.  |  6:00 PM on August 18, 2026

Axios' Alex Thompson, who co-authored a book with CNN's Jake Tapper about how the White House had fooled them about President Joe Biden's cognitive decline with its "cheap fakes" defense, would like you to read an article by Avery Lotz about the Democrats' new campaign tactic: bringing sexy back. Don't think we haven't noticed, James Talarico.

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Lotz (she/her) writes:

Democrats seem to be leaning into a specific midterm strategy, especially on socials: bringing sexy back.

  • Unbuttoned shirts on CNN. Exposed biceps on the rally stage. Made-for-TikTok thirst trap b-roll. And the return of the tan suit.

Why it matters: The left is leaning into candidates who look young, energetic and even desirable, with fresh faces often eclipsing the older guard.

  • "We see a rise in young millennials, or the top part of Gen Z, trying to get into office," says Grace Weinstein, a politics and culture senior correspondent at The Recount and founder of "Who Broke It." "We're talking about a generation that is not always image obsessed, but always image aware."

The big picture: Democrats are working through identity growing pains between the left flank and the party's establishment. But with moderates and progressives alike, Dems are playing the sex appeal card.

  • The party's main TikTok page has given big names the thirst trap treatment, including: Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) (nicknamed "Senator My Boo" by internet fans), Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in his tight-fitting T-shirts, a grinning NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former President Obama with a touch of gray, among others.

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Brett T.
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President Trump just labeled John Ossoff the "Pee-wee Herman look-alike," which is just a giveaway that he's intimidated by his sex appeal.

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