The moderates’ plan to slow Hasan Piker has already worked

In the 2026 Democratic primaries, there is a growing trend of moderate candidates distancing themselves from Hasan Piker, the popular Twitch streamer and creator. This strategy appears to be working, as demonstrated by recent election results. Francesca Hong, a candidate who had Piker as her biggest surrogate, lost her primary race in Wisconsin after Piker expressed concerns about his role in her campaign.

Angie Nixon, a progressive candidate who did not know Piker, won her Senate primary and has been questioned about his role in her race. In Michigan, Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who had campaigned alongside Piker, has kept him at arm's length and minimized his relevance. Piker himself has acknowledged that he may be a liability for allied candidates and has voluntarily distanced himself from some campaigns.

The streamer has been the subject of controversy and criticism in recent years, including comments about Jewish institutions, Israel, and antisemitism. Despite apologizing for some of his past remarks, Piker has maintained controversial stances on certain political issues. The mainstreaming of Piker's influence, along with his large following on Twitch, has drawn the ire of some Democrats.

The New York Times, The New Yorker, and GQ have all covered Piker's political commentary, while Crooked Media invited him to speak at their conference. These high-profile appearances may have contributed to the backlash against him. The op-ed by Jon Cowan and Lily Cohen in the Wall Street Journal, titled "Democrats Are Too Cozy With Hasan Piker," highlighted Piker's past controversies and prompted some candidates to reconsider their relationships with him.