With just over two months remaining before the US midterm elections, Democrats are facing a political challenge that extends beyond their efforts to oppose President Donald Trump. The party is divided over its policy direction, with progressives and moderates offering competing ideas about how Democrats can regain support.

The divide has become increasingly visible during this year’s primary elections. Progressive candidates have secured several notable victories, raising hopes among the party’s left wing. Moderates, however, are warning that candidates associated with the progressive movement could struggle in competitive districts and Republican-leaning states.

Both factions say the 2024 election defeat exposed weaknesses in the party, but they draw different lessons from it.

Progressives argue Democrats were too cautious and failed to offer voters a strong economic alternative. They want the party to focus on issues such as lower healthcare costs, higher wages, stronger unions and greater restrictions on corporate power.

Moderates say Democrats need to avoid positions that Republicans can portray as extreme. They believe candidates must appeal to independent and conservative-leaning voters, particularly in closely contested states.

Recent primary results have intensified the debate. In Florida, democratic socialist Angie Nixon defeated moderate Alex Vindman in the Democratic Senate primary. In Michigan, progressive Abdul El-Sayed defeated establishment-backed Haley Stevens, while in California, Aisha Wahab won a special congressional election after facing substantial spending from outside groups.

Progressives view the results as evidence that Democratic voters are becoming less interested in traditional party leadership.

However, winning a primary does not guarantee success in November. Florida presents a major test for Nixon because the state has shifted strongly toward Republicans in recent elections. Her nomination has already prompted debate among Democrats over whether the party should embrace the democratic socialist label.

At the same time, Democrats in Florida selected former Republican David Jolly as their candidate for governor, highlighting the ideological range within the party.

Polling suggests many voters support economic policies associated with progressives, including higher taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals, government-supported healthcare, paid family leave and a higher federal minimum wage. Yet support for these policies does not necessarily mean voters will choose candidates who identify as progressive.

Democratic voters can hold moderate political identities while supporting populist economic measures. Some cultural issues associated with the left have attracted less support among swing voters.

This creates an opportunity for Democrats to build an economic message centred on affordability and corporate power while avoiding divisive cultural battles.

Trump remains another major factor. Republicans are using progressive primary victories to argue that Democrats are moving toward socialism, while Democrats have an incentive to keep attention on Trump’s record and economic concerns.

The November results could shape the party’s direction well beyond the midterms. A strong Democratic performance could strengthen either moderates or progressives, depending on which candidates succeed.

The outcome may also influence the 2028 presidential race. For now, Democrats face a shared objective: defeating Republicans in November while managing a growing dispute over what the party should become.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has announced plans to build its largest launch facility yet in Louisiana, a $100 billion project designed to support thousands of Starship missions each year and significantly expand the company’s presence beyond Texas and Florida.

The new facility, named Starbase, Louisiana, will cover about 125,000 acres, or 50,585 hectares, in the southern US state. Construction is expected to begin next year, with SpaceX targeting its first Starship launch from the site in 2029.

SpaceX said the facility would support missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. The project forms part of the company’s broader plans to increase launch capacity as it pursues ambitious goals in space exploration, satellite services and artificial intelligence.

The company said the Louisiana base would create more than 3,000 direct jobs. Louisiana Economic Development estimates that a further 8,100 indirect jobs could also be created through related economic activity.

According to the agency, workers at the facility are expected to earn average wages nearly three times higher than the current regional average. Officials said the project could establish Louisiana as a major centre for next-generation aerospace operations.

“The historic project will establish Louisiana as a global hub for next-generation aerospace, with the capacity and infrastructure needed to dramatically increase launch frequency and expand access to space,” the Louisiana Economic Development agency said.

The Louisiana site will share its name with SpaceX’s existing Starbase operations in Texas. In 2025, residents in part of Cameron County, where the company carries out testing and development work, voted to incorporate the area as a city called Starbase.

The announcement comes as SpaceX pursues an aggressive expansion strategy. Musk has outlined plans for missions to Mars, expanded Starship operations and major investments in artificial intelligence and computing infrastructure.

Earlier this month, SpaceX and Musk’s electric vehicle and robotics company Tesla announced plans to build a $16.8 billion AI chip manufacturing complex in Texas known as Terafab. The proposed facility is intended to support growing demand for computing power for AI, robotics and related technologies.

SpaceX is also facing increasing scrutiny from investors following its public market debut in June, when its shares began trading on the technology-focused Nasdaq in what was described as the largest stock market debut in history.

The company’s stock has fallen more than 30% from the highs reached shortly after trading began, although it remains above its initial offer price of $135.

Investors are now watching whether SpaceX can balance the enormous cost of its expansion with the need to deliver sustained profits. The planned Louisiana Starbase represents one of the company’s biggest commitments yet, with construction expected to begin in 2027 and launch operations scheduled to follow two years later.