The Democratic Socialists of America reached a membership total of 120,000 as the organization reported electoral victories in New York City. Candidates endorsed by the group won nine out of 10 races in which they fielded candidates during the June 2025 elections.

Angie Nixon won the Democratic Senate primary in Florida. Nixon joined the Democratic Socialists of America in June but has not been endorsed by the group.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rejoined the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America last month after letting her membership lapse for seven years. The Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America voted to endorse mayoral candidate Nithya Raman. Other endorsed candidates include Claire Valdez in New York, Melat Kiros in Colorado, and Chris Rabb in Pennsylvania.

Abdul El-Sayed is not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and has not been endorsed by the group. A recent poll found that one-third of Democrats openly identify as socialist.

The US House of Representatives adopted a resolution condemning socialism and specifically naming the Democratic Socialists of America. Eight Democrats joined House Republicans in adopting the resolution condemning socialism.

Why It Matters

The growth of the Democratic Socialists of America represents a change in the American political landscape, with membership rising from approximately 6,000 in 2015 to 120,000 by 2026. This expansion was driven largely by the 2016 presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders and subsequent electoral successes of DSA-endorsed candidates. In June 2026, media reports noted the rise of the DSA as a major political story, following the decline of Trump's popularity and the increasing influence of socialist ideas within the Democratic Party.

What's New

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) was founded in 1982 through the merger of the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (DSOC) and the New American Movement (NAM), aiming to bridge the divide between the Old Left and New Left movements. In the 2025 New York City primaries, the DSA-backed candidate Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral race, marking a shift in the city's political landscape and signaling the growing influence of democratic socialism in urban centers.

The DSA’s membership grew from approximately 6,000 members in 2015 to over 120,000 by 2026, driven largely by the 2016 presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders and subsequent electoral successes of DSA-endorsed candidates. The DSA's New York City chapter gained 2,400 new members during Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign. In the 2026 primary elections, the DSA's New York City chapter organized volunteers to knock on 1.6 million doors in support of Zohran Mamdani’s campaign. Gustavo Gordillo is the co-chairman of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

How Sources Differ

Sources present different figures regarding the scope and composition of the organization. Washington Examiner stated that the DSA has more than 200 local chapters nationwide, with 20 of them having over 1,000 members, and it has endorsed roughly 150 candidates in the 2026 election cycle, with 35 either winning primaries or advancing without opposition. What Are the Democratic Socialists of America?