Former Vice President Mike Pence said this week that the upcoming midterms in November are critical to the future of the United States, stating the elections "couldn’t be more important in the life of the nation." 

Pence said in an interview on WABC’s “Cats & Cosby” radio show that the current presidential administration has "done much to be commended," and compared it to the Democratic Socialists of America movement that has seen a recent boost in popularity.

“I tell people. I also think, in some respects, I argue a little bit with some of the direction of the Republican Party, nationalizing businesses, price controls, some people dallying with isolationism," the former vice president said Monday. "But I tell people, in some respects, I think Republicans have lost their way, but Democrats have lost their minds." 

Pence highlighted the recent surge in socialist candidates, which began with the election of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani last year. Mamdani defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic nomination and again in the general election when Cuomo ran as an independent.

Since Mamdani's election, New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also seen her star rise and socialist candidates have surged in popularity in states such as Colorado, Maine and Michigan recently.

The former vice president's comments come as he pushes to restore traditional conservative values to the GOP, which is a priority he's had since leaving office in 2021, including by creating the nonprofit Advancing American Freedom.

“I really do believe, at the end of the day, America is a conservative country on balance,” Pence told Colorado Politics last week. "The American people deserve a party that hews to those principles of a strong defense, limited government, traditional moral values. And we’re going to be championing those in the Republican Party in the days ahead.”

The comment also comes ahead of Tuesday night's primary, where former Democratic Rep. Cori Bush is hoping to mount a political comeback in Missouri. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.