DSA, Justice Democrats Rack Up Dozens of Primary Wins Despite $35 Million Against Them
Updated
Updated · Democracy Now! · Jul 12
DSA, Justice Democrats Rack Up Dozens of Primary Wins Despite $35 Million Against Them
3 articles · Updated · Democracy Now! · Jul 12
Summary
Justice Democrats said 6 of its 15 endorsed congressional candidates have won Democratic primaries so far, while DSA-backed candidates have won or advanced in dozens of races nationwide.
Those gains came in contests shaped by progressive positions on Medicare for All, taxing the wealthy and opposition to U.S. military support for Israel, which the groups say helped blunt establishment money networks.
Victories included 29-year-old Melat Kiros unseating 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado and Darializa Avila Chevalier defeating five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York.
The groups cast the results as evidence that socialism is losing its political stigma and that anti-Israel-war sentiment is reshaping Democratic primaries despite heavy outside spending.
DSA says its membership has grown from about 5,000 to more than 120,000 in 200 chapters over the past decade, giving the progressive insurgency a broader organizational base ahead of the midterms.
Can a new political strategy find success beyond its initial strongholds and gain broader electoral appeal?
How might a movement's internal evolution affect its ability to appeal to a wider audience?
What are the potential economic effects of universal healthcare given current national health expenditures?
Inside the Democratic Party’s Leftward Shift: DSA’s Electoral Wins, Policy Agenda, and the Coming 2028 Showdown
Overview
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has rapidly increased its electoral power in the 2025-2026 cycle, driven by strong grassroots organizing and a new wave of progressive leaders. A key moment was Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York City’s mayor, running openly as a DSA member—a victory seen as a game changer. Mamdani’s leadership helped other progressives win office, with nearly all DSA-endorsed candidates succeeding in recent elections. This surge highlights how DSA’s organizing has shifted the city’s political landscape, showing the growing influence of progressive movements within the Democratic Party.