The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has experienced a significant surge in recent years, exerting influence on the Democratic Party and pushing it further to the left, particularly in deep blue cities.
The DSA advocates for policies that even moderate Democrats disagree with, such as abolishing prisons, aggressive climate policies, rent controls, and radical racial equity policies.
The meteoric rise of the DSA can be traced back to the first presidential campaign of Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders in 2016. According to New York Magazine, the DSA had 6,000 members in 2015, but now boasts over 80,000 members, according to DSA Communications Director Chris Kutalik Cauthern.
Big cities in blue states have become havens for Democratic Socialists, with a significant number of them serving on city councils in these deep blue cities. The recent gains made by Democratic Socialists in these cities have pushed the politics of blue cities further to the left.
New York City, in particular, has become a hotbed for Democratic Socialists. At least six out of the 51 members on New York City's city council are Democratic Socialists, according to public statements and records reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation. These Democratic Socialists have been critical of more moderate Democrats, such as Mayor Eric Adams, who has proposed budget cuts for the city and has been involved in Twitter feuds with Democratic Socialist New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Democratic Socialist and Democratic Councilman Chi Osse, who serves in New York City, has made controversial statements, including saying, "A cis white man should not be the next speaker of the Council" and "Don't trust white people with 0 friends of color in their circle."
Osse has frequently criticized Adams' support for the police, accusing him of investing in a militarized police force instead of evidence-based public safety strategies. Osse has cited his experiences at a George Floyd protest and his desire to fight "white supremacy" as motivations for becoming a city councilman.
Democratic Socialist and Democratic New York City Councilwoman Tiffany Caban opposed Adams' 2023 budget, calling the proposed cuts "dangerous and cruel," in opposition to more moderate Democrats.
Los Angeles is another city where Democratic Socialists have gained ground. At least three out of the 15 members of the Los Angeles city council are Democratic Socialists. These Democratic Socialists often deviate from the party's orthodoxy and frequently vote against budget increases for police departments.
Democratic Los Angeles Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez and Democratic Los Angeles Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez have called for abolishing the police, shutting down prisons, and decriminalizing hard drugs. However, police data has shown an increase in robberies, burglaries, and thefts in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has also experienced a significant loss of officers since 2019, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In Minnesota, Democratic Socialists have also made their presence felt. Four members of the DSA hold local office in the state, with three members serving on the Minneapolis city council. Members of the Twin Cities DSA, which includes Minneapolis and St. Paul, have been strong advocates for rent control, despite Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey opposing the policy.
The DSA also boasts five federally elected officials who identify as Democratic Socialists in the U.S. House of Representatives: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman, and Greg Casar.
Despite the recent rise in DSA membership, positive views of socialism in the U.S. have actually decreased. According to Pew Research, 36% of Americans now view socialism somewhat or very positively, down from 42% in May 2019.
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