The influence wielded by the far-left in the Democratic Party has grown significantly stronger in recent decades, according to CNN polling analyst Harry Enten.

Enten presented data on Thursday that shows the number of Democrats who identify as “very liberal” has surged from 5% in 1999 to 21% today, while the number who identify as “conservative” has plunged from 26% to just 8% within the same period. As the Democratic Party drifts leftward, data suggests that movement could lead to political trouble in the future.

“The far-left, which used to just be a smidgen within the Democratic Party, has gained considerable power,” said Enten.

The CNN analyst made the point following a New Jersey special election in which the progressive Democratic candidate, Analilia Mejia, beat her primary opponent in the race to represent the state’s 11th Congressional District. Mejia was backed by prominent socialists, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and lacked the support of the party establishment inside the Garden State, according to NBC News.

“The results from that special election, that Democratic primary in the 11th District in New Jersey, speak to a larger point within the Democratic Party, and that is that the far-left is significantly more powerful than they once were,” said Enten.

The percentage of self-identified democratic socialists in the Democratic Party registers at about a third, but appears to be ascending. Among younger Democrats, those under the age of 35, 42% of them identify with the far-left label.

“Bernie Sanders and [New York City Mayor] Zohran Mandani are not alone. They are a considerable part of the Democratic base at this point,” said Enten.

“What happened in New York City is not some aberration, right? It is not something that just happened in New York City, it is something that we are seeing grow within the Democratic Party at this particular point,” he added.

Americans generally appear to be growing increasingly dissatisfied with the leftward drift of the Democratic Party. Enten pointed to polling showing that a majority of Americans now feel that Democrats overall are “too liberal,” from 42% in 1996 to 58% today.

“The Democrats are moving to the left, the far-left is gaining power, and there could be some electoral repercussions because what we see right now is voters, the clear majority, say that they are too liberal,” said Enten.

An all-time high, 58%, of voters say the Dem Party is too liberal.

This comes as 1-in-3 Democrats think of themselves as Democratic Socialists!

And the % of Dems who say they’re very liberal has quadrupled since 1999.

NJ-11, NYC mayor & Bernie Sanders are no aberration. pic.twitter.com/J0xuskHgn6

— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) February 12, 2026

A GoFundMe set up for the widow of actor James Van Der Beek and their six children has raised more than $1.6 million since it was published yesterday.

The 48-year-old “Dawson’s Creek” star died Wednesday following a battle with colorectal cancer. The fundraiser is meant to “help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education.”

“James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him. After a long and courageous battle with cancer, James passed away on February 11, 2026 leaving behind his devoted wife, Kimberly, and their six wonderful children. Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care,” the GoFundMe description says. 

“In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have depleted the family’s funds. They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time. The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead.”

Prior to his death, Van Der Beek partnered with the auction company Propstore to sell some of the items he had accumulated over the course of his career to help pay for his medical bills, as The Daily Wire previously reported.

“I’ve been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them, and with all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it’s clear that the time is now,” Van Der Beek said in a statement in November.

He added, “While I have some nostalgia tugging at me as I part with these items, it feels good to be able to offer them through Propstore’s auction to share with those who have supported my work over the years.” Items sold at auction in December included memorabilia from both the teen drama series “Dawson’s Creek” and the popular film “Varsity Blues” (1999). 

More than 32,000 people have contributed to the GoFundMe as of Thursday afternoon, including actress Zoe Saldaña, who set up a recurring donation of $2,500 a month. Celebrities Derek Hough, Ricki Lake, Lydia Hearst, and Kaley Cuoco also made donations. 

The top donation of $25,000 came from Guardant Health, a biotech company based in Palo Alto. “James was the first brand ambassador for Guardant Health and our Shield™ blood test for colorectal cancer screening, reflecting our shared belief in the power of patient voices,” the company wrote in an X post shared Wednesday. 

“It was an honor to witness the unwavering commitment he demonstrated over the past year to raising awareness of colorectal cancer and encouraging more people to get screened. His voice and advocacy will leave a lasting mark on the fight against colorectal cancer.”

Legendary Hollywood director Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, also contributed $25,000 to the GoFundMe. Van Der Beek’s character on “Dawson’s Creek” famously idolized Spielberg, a connection the legendary director acknowledged in a 2025 video tribute when Van Der Beek was battling cancer.

The original goal for the GoFundMe was $500,000, but it was later increased to $1.5 million.