Democratic Socialist Victories in Recent Elections (UPPER DUBLIN LIBRARY)

Surprising local victories included democratic socialists Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayor; Katie Wilson, Seattle mayor; and Janeese Lewis George, mayoral primary winner in Washington, D.C. In recent congressional primaries, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez won in New York City and Chris Rabb, in Philadelphia. They ran as democratic socialists and unseated long-term establishment Democratic incumbents. In some of their deep-blue urban districts, winning the general election is virtually guaranteed. The winners were endorsed by democratic socialist leaders like NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and NY congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. They ran well-organized campaigns sponsored by local chapters of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Some Republicans and moderate Democrats have expressed alarm that these “socialist” victories may signal a growing threat to American democratic and capitalist values. In our discussion, we will consider whether the democratic socialist movement is likely to divide and weaken the Democratic party or make it stronger. How do policies and promises of DSA candidates compare to Democrats who call themselves “progressives”? Should Democrats move toward the center to attract Trump defectors or toward the left to mobilize younger and more energetic Democrats? Does the Democratic Party need a bigger tent or is it time for a third-party movement?

The rhetoric on all sides is heating up. Some Republicans, especially the president, have been referring to all Democrats as “socialists,” but now that Democratic Socialists are winning some elections, they are being called “communists.” As political/economic terms like “socialism,” “democratic socialism,” “social democracy,” and “communism” become weaponized, what do Democrats and Republicans mean?

Recent DSA primary winners are attributing their success to massive canvassing by young, idealistic volunteers. Philadelphia’s newly nominated congressman, Chris Rabb, called his win “a triumph of the many over the money.” How important is money to winning local and national elections?
Here are some online resources that may help inform our discussions:

• “Behind the Apparent Rise of Democratic Socialism” – CBS News at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1Dp7iJ8hDw (video runs 7 minutes)
• “Democratic Socialists Are On the Rise. What to Know About the Movement.” – The Wall Street Journal article by James Fanelli and Eliza Collins at https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/democratic-socialists-movement-explained-3a857c46
• “Progressive Primary Victories Have Corporate Democrats Panicking” – The Guardian article by Norman Solomon at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/01/democratic-socialists-versus-corporate-democrats
• “Democratic Socialists Ride Wave of Momentum in Primaries from New York to Colorado” – The Guardian article by Alice Speri at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/01/mamdani-new-york-democratic-socialist