The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have achieved significant primary victories in recent weeks, fueling their ambitions for the 2028 election cycle. In New York, two DSA-backed candidates defeated establishment Democrats in House primaries, while a DSA candidate in Colorado unseated a long-serving incumbent in another House primary. These wins follow the rise of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose endorsed candidates recently secured victories.
The DSA's current surge began approximately a decade ago, coinciding with Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. The organization has since gained traction within the left wing of the Democratic Party, cultivating a reputation for advocating a populist economic agenda.
Megan Romer, a national co-chair of the DSA, attributes the recent electoral successes to voter frustration with the dismantling of social safety nets, stagnating wages, and rising costs of living. She stated that voters are seeking tangible solutions, such as expanded childcare and Medicare for All, which address real-world economic burdens. "I think they’re excited to see someone not just saying, ‘Well, the other [option is] worse,’ but really saying, ‘Look, we’re going to rethink some of these things and come up with solutions together,’" Romer explained.
However, the DSA faces scrutiny over certain policy positions and candidate statements, particularly concerning issues like policing and borders, which some critics argue are too extreme for mainstream voters. Romer addressed these criticisms by emphasizing the DSA's long-term vision, which aims to address societal problems at their root. She clarified that proposals like "abolishing the carceral state" are part of a long-term strategy to reduce crime by addressing its link to poverty, rather than advocating for the immediate dismissal of law enforcement. "The goal is free child care, free health care, free college, these sort of things that will actually make there be less crime," Romer said.
The organization also grapples with controversies surrounding some affiliated candidates. Romer acknowledged that the DSA works with imperfect individuals and that vetting processes differ from those of establishment candidates. She addressed past controversial statements made by Darializa Avila Chevalier, a newly elected official in New York City, noting that the candidate has since apologized and removed her social media account.
Discussions around the DSA's stance on Israel have also drawn criticism, with some alleging antisemitism. Romer defended the organization's position, stating, "what we see is that Israel is perpetrating a genocide. People are mad and should be mad. It’s a genocide. We don’t equivocate on that definition or on that understanding of the events. We see an apartheid state. We see people being in an open-air concentration camp, essentially, in the Gaza Strip."
Romer also clarified the circumstances surrounding the DSA's endorsement of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2024. The organization attached conditions to the endorsement, requiring Ocasio-Cortez to pledge not to fund Israeli military actions. Ocasio-Cortez has since committed to voting against all funding for the Israeli military.
Looking ahead, the DSA plans to field a presidential primary candidate in 2028. Romer believes this strategy, inspired by Bernie Sanders' campaigns, will provide a platform to advocate for policies such as Medicare for All, support for labor unions, and opposition to the military-industrial complex, and to hold other candidates accountable within the primary debates.