New Center-Left Group Launches 2028 'Abundance' Policy Agenda to Reshape Democratic Priorities

The Inclusive Abundance Initiative, a nonprofit within the expanding center-left Abundance movement, is drafting a 2028 policy agenda to address regulations it argues have weakened Democratic efforts in healthcare, housing, energy, and other key areas.

Why this matters: The group joins several left-leaning organizations vying to shape the priorities of the next Democratic administration, including staffing decisions. Proponents of the Abundance movement have become influential in advocating for policies they believe have damaged the party’s public image.

Critics on the left, however, view the movement as an attempt by corporate-aligned Democrats to justify deregulation.

Key Developments

• The Inclusive Abundance Initiative, which operates a separate political action committee, will publish policy papers in 2024 covering housing, healthcare, energy, immigration for skilled workers, and family issues.
• Derek Kaufman, founder of the nonprofit and a former executive at J.P. Morgan Chase and Citadel, stated:

  "The next two years will be full of debates about how to put the progress back in progressive. But a compelling message isn't enough: Leaders also need a policy plan that won't repeat previous failures."

• Kaufman seeks to broaden the Abundance agenda beyond its current focus on housing and permitting reforms.
• Nicholas Bagley, former chief legal counsel to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and a professor at Michigan Law School, has joined as a contributor.

Political Context

Two major contests are unfolding within the Democratic Party: the battle over the 2028 presidential nominee and the fight to define the agenda and personnel for the next administration.

Many officials from President Joe Biden’s White House believe that while Biden secured the 2020 nomination and presidency, progressive factions—led by figures such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)—dominated policy and staffing decisions during his tenure.

Center-left Democrats aim to prevent a repeat of this dynamic in future administrations. Over the past year, multiple groups have emerged to influence the party’s direction, including Project 2029, a left-wing counterpart to the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.

Project 2025 was a liability for Donald Trump in the 2024 election, though he distanced himself from it. However, several contributors to the project now hold key administration roles, including border czar Tom Homan, FCC chair Brendan Carr, and OMB Director Russ Vought, all of whom have implemented portions of the proposal.

Criticism and Goals

Some progressive Democrats argue the Abundance movement is a rebranding effort by corporate-friendly Democrats. Kaufman disputes this, emphasizing that "The Abundance Agenda" aims to appeal to both the party’s center and left wings. The initiative’s advisory board includes representatives from the progressive Roosevelt Institute and the more independent Searchlight Institute.