The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are significantly impacting the midterm elections, particularly within the Democratic Party. Recent CNN polls show that about a third of Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults now identify as democratic socialists. This demographic tends to be younger, with 59% under 45, and more likely to be White (57%). They are also less likely to have a college degree (66%) and more likely to earn less than $100,000 annually (76%). This group is highly motivated to vote, with 66% of registered voters stating extreme motivation compared to 57% of non-democratic socialists.
The DSA's platform, titled "WORKERS DESERVE MORE!", envisions a society without capitalism, advocating for a 32-hour workweek, free education, universal healthcare, and rent control. Beyond these economic proposals, they also call for abolishing police and the prison system, eliminating ICE, and ending U.S. economic or military aid to Israel. They propose funding these initiatives by gutting defense and police spending and raising corporate and inheritance taxes. Some proposals, like replacing the president and Supreme Court with representatives chosen by Congress, have drawn criticism from establishment Democrats who view the DSA as a threat to the party and the nation.
DSA candidates have seen notable successes, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's victory and the defeat of incumbent Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Diana DeGette in various primaries. The DSA, with over 120,000 members (half of whom joined since late 2024), now has 250 chapters and an annual operating budget of $9.3 million. Their strategy primarily involves primarying mainstream Democrats. While only two current House members, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib, are DSA members, primary wins this spring are projected to double their congressional presence to five, marking the largest bloc in American history for the movement. These new members include Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Chris Rabb.
Despite the small number of DSA members in Congress, their growing influence poses challenges for mainstream Democrats. Centrist groups like Third Way warn that their continued growth could make Democrats unelectable nationally. Critics argue that the DSA's more radical positions, such as defunding the police and nationalizing sectors of the economy, do not resonate in competitive districts. However, the DSA's surge is viewed by some as a culmination of ten years of organizing, with leaders expressing intent to continue challenging and eventually taking over the Democratic Party. Positive views of capitalism have fallen, reaching 54% in a recent Gallup survey, while views of socialism have remained relatively stable at 39% positive nationally.
