Democratic voters prefer members of the Democratic Socialists of America to congressional Democrats, according to a new poll from MU Law.
Democratic socialist candidates had a net favorability of +17, while Democrats in Congress only had a net favorability of +4 among those polled. The Democratic Socialists of America’s radicalism is on full display in its recently released platform, which calls for the total abolition of police and prisons, nationalizing major corporations, and abolishing the U.S. Senate.
The leftist wing of the party is taking on the establishment in races across the country. Democratic socialist candidates advanced in the Los Angeles City Council elections earlier this month, and far-Left councilmember Mai Vang is now leading incumbent Democrat Doris Matsui in the vote count for California’s 7th Congressional District primary.
The Democratic Socialists of America scored a major win last November with the election of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, a longtime member of the party, ran an unapologetically radical campaign during which he clashed viciously with fellow Democrats on economic and cultural issues.
His proposals have included city-owned grocery stores, a $30 minimum wage, and widespread rent freezes. Mamdani has also repeatedly refused to condemn antisemitic chants “globalize the intifada” and “from the river to the sea,” both of which call for the elimination of Jews.
He has used his newfound influence to back socialist politicians against establishment Democrats in primary races. Among these endorsements are Brad Lander (NY-10) and Darializa Avila Chevalier (NY-13), who are challenging incumbent Democrats in Tuesday’s primaries, as well as Claire Valdez (NY-7), who is running for the open seat being vacated by Rep. Nydia Velázquez. Valdez and Chevalier are both official members of the Democratic Socialists of America.
The Left-wing organization began its emergence from obscurity with the presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders in 2016. Despite ultimately losing the nomination, Sanders overperformed massively, capturing 46% of the pledged delegates and successfully pushing the Democratic Party to the Left.
Roughly 66% of Democrats have a favorable view of socialism, up from 50% in 2010, and only 42% hold a favorable view of capitalism, down from 51% in 2010, according to a recent Gallup poll.
Established in 1982, the Democratic Socialists of America saw its membership plateau for decades at around 5,000. By the end of Sanders’ campaign, membership had ballooned to over 32,000. The rise has continued throughout recent years, with current membership sitting at approximately 100,000.
