By Lucretia Hughes Klucken
The Democratic Socialists of America is no longer a fringe organization shouting from outside the Democratic Party. It is building political power from within — winning Democratic primaries, defeating incumbents and pushing the party further to the left.
The DSA is not formally part of the Democratic Party, and it does not have its own national ballot line. Instead, its candidates generally run as Democrats, gaining access to the party’s voters, infrastructure and position on the ballot.
That strategy appears to be working.
The organization says it surpassed 120,000 members in July and operates through more than 200 chapters and organizing committees. DSA-backed candidates have recently won races in New York, Colorado, California, Michigan and Washington, D.C.
Reuters described the organization in July as playing an increasingly influential role inside the Democratic Party. The Associated Press also reported that democratic socialist candidates were gaining momentum in mayoral contests around the country. Reuters Associated Press
In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s victory demonstrated what a disciplined socialist organization can accomplish through Democratic primaries. His political influence grew again when candidates associated with his movement defeated established Democrats in several congressional contests.
In Michigan, DSA-backed state Rep. Donavan McKinney defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in the Democratic primary for the Detroit-area 13th Congressional District. McKinney also received support from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
These are not merely isolated victories. They represent a deliberate political strategy.
DSA’s own endorsement standards say candidates should uphold its national platform, promote the organization and view themselves as “socialist organizers first” and legislators second. That language should concern every American who believes elected officials must answer first to their constituents and the Constitution — not to an outside ideological organization. DSA endorsement criteria
The organization openly says it is developing “independent political power” while helping socialist candidates win local, state and federal offices. Its long-term objective reaches far beyond expanding government benefits.
DSA supports social ownership and democratic control of major parts of the economy. Its agenda includes government-run health care, sweeping environmental mandates, expanded public housing, tuition-free higher education and major reductions in America’s military footprint.
A recently publicized DSA platform also proposed fundamental changes to the American system of government, including writing a new Constitution and abolishing or restructuring major constitutional institutions. PBS NewsHour
Not every Democrat supports that agenda. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has said he does not identify with the DSA platform, and moderate Democrats continue to fight the socialist wing over policing, health care, Israel, energy and government spending.
That distinction matters. It would be inaccurate to claim that every Democratic voter or elected Democrat is a socialist.
But it would be equally dishonest to pretend the DSA has no meaningful control or influence within the party.
Its candidates are winning Democratic nominations. Its activists are supplying volunteers and campaign infrastructure. Its members are shaping policy debates, removing incumbents and building a network of elected officials from city councils to Congress.
The Democratic establishment may still control the party’s national machinery, but the DSA is steadily capturing pieces of its political foundation.
This is how a movement takes power in America. It does not always create a new party. Sometimes it enters an existing one, wins its primaries, replaces its leaders and gradually changes what the party represents.
The question is no longer whether democratic socialists are attempting to take over the Democratic Party. Their own strategy and electoral record make that objective clear.
The real question is whether traditional Democrats recognize what is happening — and whether they are willing or able to stop it.
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