Socialists significantly increased their presence in the House of Representatives following a series of midterm election victories in Democratic strongholds, more than doubling their ranks.
At least four candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) were projected to win their House races, expanding the number of socialist lawmakers in the chamber from two to six. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), already in Congress, secured re-election in their respective districts.
Joining them in the next Congress are Melat Kiros in Colorado's 1st Congressional District, Chris Rabb in Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, Claire Valdez in New York's 7th Congressional District, and Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York's 13th Congressional District. Donovan McKinney, who ousted a two-term incumbent in Michigan's 13th Congressional District primary, also appeared poised to win his general election race.
"At a base line, the socialists presence in Congress will soar to heights unseen in over a century," Aron Ali-McClory, DSA communications co-chair, posted on X. "We are contesting in places that’ve been written off for decades. It’s only a beginning, but let the light in!"
Of the 221 DSA-backed candidates who ran in federal, state, and municipal races, the organization reported 42 winners as of press time, with many races still too close to call. In local races, socialist mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George won her bid to replace outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser in Washington D.C., and DSA member David Morales was elected mayor of Providence, Rhode Island.
The DSA faced a setback in Florida, where Democratic candidate Angie Nixon narrowly lost her state Senate race against incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) by three percentage points.