Democratic socialists are expanding beyond New York City after a string of primary victories added momentum to the progressive movement, with DSA-backed candidates now targeting races in Colorado, Michigan and Wisconsin as key tests of their influence outside liberal enclaves.
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) burst into wider visibility following New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's election last year. This past week saw democratic socialist candidates Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier win their Democratic primaries in New York, with Avila Chevalier defeating Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a progressive Mamdani ally.
The DSA has grown from around 5,000 members nearly a decade ago to more than 100,000 members across chapters nationwide, according to organizers. The organization is a nonprofit activist group, not a political party, that aims to transform American politics through progressive change and rejection of capitalist structures.
What the Right Is Saying
Analysts at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report cautioned against reading too much into DSA wins in liberal strongholds. "Races in some of the most liberal districts in the country don't tell us very much about the strength of the left in the competitive races Democrats have to win to seize back control of Congress," they wrote in an assessment of New York City victories.
Wisconsin Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki called excitement over the New York wins "pretty overblown" and questioned whether candidates elsewhere can replicate Mamdani's appeal. "Capturing lightning in a bottle is pretty tough, and I'm not sure that any of these folks in New York City, or anywhere else across the country, are Mamdani-level communicators and Mamdani-level charisma," Zepecki said.
Florida Democratic strategist Steve Schale raised concerns about potential liability for fellow Democrats. He referenced controversial social media posts from New York's Avila Chevalier, which CNN reported included posts expressing support for abolishing police and borders and questioning Israel's right to exist. "Normal Democrats who are trying to beat Republicans are going to answer for that s--- over and over and over again," Schale said.
President Trump weighed in Friday, calling Mamdani a "communist" and warning that "the Democrat Party is in big trouble because this isn't stopping with New York," in what could serve as a preview of midterm attack strategies tying left-wing candidates to the Democratic Party at large.
What the Left Is Saying
DSA co-Chair Ashik Siddique told The Hill that New York City victories reflect where the country is heading politically. "Increasingly we're showing that candidates running on strong platforms like these can win in red or purple states, in the Midwest and the South," Siddique said.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has backed several DSA candidates, including Melat Kiros, a 29-year-old democratic socialist challenging 68-year-old Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) in Colorado's 1st Congressional District. The district has seen an influx of young, college-educated residents in recent years.
In Wisconsin, 37-year-old state lawmaker Francesca Hong, backed by Madison and Milwaukee DSA branches, is running in a wide-open race for governor to replace retiring Gov. Tony Evers (D). If she wins the primary, Siddique said it would be "a huge bellwether" for the movement and put her on a path to become the country's first socialist governor.
Siddique emphasized that organizing efforts are key to success regardless of district lean. "Before the primary day on Tuesday, I think a lot of people in New York were assuming we were behind, and that was motivating to work even harder," he said. "I think this politics really resonates anywhere where we organize seriously enough to talk to enough people."
What the Numbers Show
The DSA has grown from approximately 5,000 members nearly a decade ago to more than 100,000 members across the country. The organization now operates in chapters nationwide, according to its organizers.
Recent primary results show mixed outcomes for democratic socialist candidates: Valdez and Avila Chevalier won their New York Democratic primaries; the DSA prevailed in Washington, D.C.'s mayoral primary; a democratic socialist advanced to the Los Angeles mayoral runoff this fall.
However, losses include Maryland state Senate President Bill Ferguson (D) defeating progressive challenger Bobby LaPin, who had positioned himself as DSA-aligned. In Utah, former Rep. Ben McAdams (D) won Tuesday's primary for the state's new blue-dot district, besting multiple progressive challengers including Nate Blouin, a candidate backed by Sanders.
In Wisconsin, sparse polling has signaled momentum for Hong ahead of the August gubernatorial primary. She placed second behind Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez (D) in a straw poll at the state Democratic Party convention earlier this month.
Upcoming competitive races include Colorado's 1st Congressional District primary; Michigan's 13th District where Donavan McKinney challenges Rep. Shri Thanedar; and Florida's 23rd Congressional District, considered a toss-up where an Oliver Larkin victory could risk losing the seat to Republicans in November.
The Bottom Line
The coming weeks will test whether DSA momentum extends beyond New York City's progressive electorate. Key races in Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida will reveal whether democratic socialist candidates can win in competitive districts or if their success remains concentrated in liberal strongholds.
Political observers are watching particularly closely whether Francesca Hong's gubernatorial campaign in Wisconsin can translate primary energy into general election viability in a toss-up state. The outcome could shape how national Democrats approach down-ballot races heading into November.
Republicans have signaled intent to tie DSA candidates to the broader Democratic Party, while the DSA maintains it will continue organizing and believes its message resonates wherever serious ground campaigns are built.