The Rise of the DSA: Primary Wins and the Fight for a Socialist Future

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are planning to run a presidential primary candidate in 2028 to shift the Democratic Party’s economic platform. Following recent House primary victories in New York and Colorado, DSA national co-chair Megan Romer told Today, Explained that the organization aims to use the primary process to hold candidates accountable and push for Medicare for All.

Primary Victories and the Rise of New Political Kingmakers

The DSA's current momentum is anchored in a series of decisive electoral wins. In New York, two DSA members defeated Democratic establishment candidates, including the sitting chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. In Colorado, Melat Kiros beat out a 30-year incumbent in a House primary.

This trajectory began a decade ago, catalyzed by Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. According to Romer, Sanders’ willingness to openly identify as a Democratic Socialist “broke the dam” on the term, giving others permission to adopt the label. The DSA has since spent years building a brand centered on “fighters” and populist economic messaging to appeal to a left wing feeling the pressure of stagnating wages and inflation.

The Tension Between Economic Populism and Radical Policy

Romer admits that the goal of "abolishing the carceral state" is often misinterpreted by the public as a desire to simply "fire all the police."

Romer argues that the DSA's approach is a long-term vision where eliminating "crimes of poverty" through social services reduces the need for policing. However, the political reality is that working-class voters shifted toward President Donald Trump in the previous election, a move polling suggests was partly due to the perception that Democrats had become too extreme on cultural issues.

Vetting Failures and the ‘Imperfect’ Candidate

A prominent example is Darializa Avila Chevalier, a recent winner in New York City. Chevalier faced intense scrutiny after past posts on X surfaced, in which she claimed to have wiped her hands on an American flag and suggested that white people should not be in interracial relationships.

When questioned about the lack of rigorous vetting compared to establishment candidates, Romer noted that the DSA does not “form candidates in a lab” or raise “perfect Model UN children.” She defended the presence of “imperfect, messy people” in the movement, arguing that candidates who did not spend their entire adult lives preparing for office are prone to “bad tweets.”

The Israel-Palestine Conflict and Internal Party Discipline

Romer stated unequivocally that the DSA views Israel as a "genocidal apartheid state" and an "open-air concentration camp" in the Gaza Strip. This hardline stance has led to public friction, such as Zohran Mamdani referring to AIPAC as "monsters"—a term he claimed was a quote from philosopher Antonio Gramsci.

Romer clarified that the endorsement was conditional, requiring a pledge to cease all funding for the Israeli military. The pressure worked; Romer confirmed that AOC eventually pledged to vote "no" on all such funding.

The Road to 2028: Moving the Needle

The DSA’s goal for 2028 is not merely to win the presidency, but to ensure a “Democratic Socialist voice” is present in the primary debates. By fielding a candidate, the organization intends to force other candidates to sign pledges on healthcare and labor unions, effectively moving the needle of the entire Democratic platform to the left.