New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has formally returned to the Democratic Socialists of America, reaffirming her alignment with the partys far-left flank at a moment of growing ideological polarization.
According to Just The News, the congresswoman, one of the most progressive figures in the House, first signed up for an annual membership in 2018, then let her membership lapse for seven years, before rejoining this August, as the outlet NOTUS reported. She is now the most prominent elected official tied to the DSA, a group that has enjoyed considerable success in this primary season in knocking off some long-standing Democratic incumbents, underscoring the partys internal shift away from its traditional, more moderate roots.
Recent polling shows Ocasio-Cortez a favorite among potential Democratic presidential candidates, a development that should concern Democrats who still believe their party must appeal to the political center to win national elections. Her renewed embrace of the DSA could score points among Democratic voters who appear to be moving further to the left in the midterm cycle, even as many independents and conservatives view democratic socialism as fundamentally at odds with free-market principles and limited government.
The DSA confirmed the she rejoined the organization in August, and told NOTUS that it's not usual for the DSA to discuss membership status of individuals. Yet, with Ocasio-Cortez appearing to be weighing a 2028 presidential bid, the organization decided to announce her membership, signaling that both the congresswoman and the socialist group see strategic value in publicly cementing their alliance as the Democratic Partys ideological battle lines harden.
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