DSA members gain seats in Congress, take over mayoral races in LA and DC
The organization added six representatives and secured local leadership roles while reaching 130,000 members.
By Thomas Obasi ·
Voters in the United States elected a new group of progressive leaders in Tuesday's midterm elections, shifting power in key local and federal offices. The Democratic Socialists of America, a progressive faction within the Democratic Party, saw its members secure more seats in Congress and take control of city halls in major metropolitan areas. These changes will affect local policing, housing policy, and federal legislative priorities starting in January.
The organization had two members in the U.S. House of Representatives before these elections. That number will rise to eight when the newly elected officials take office in January. These new legislators are coming from California, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is among them. She announced she will begin considering a run for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination after the recent vote.
In the Senate, Abdul El-Sayed won a seat that will make him the first Muslim senator in U.S. history. While he is not a formal member of the DSA, he is described as aligned with the movement. Bernie Sanders, the 85-year-old independent senator from Vermont, remains in office until 2030. He is considered a key ideological reference for the group, even though he is not a member.
The DSA did not secure a Senate seat for Angie Nixon in Florida. She lost in a tight recount despite winning the primary in August against moderate Democrat Alex Vindman. This result marks a setback in a state where the group hopes to expand its influence beyond traditional Democratic strongholds.
Local victories include Nithya Raman, who was elected mayor of Los Angeles, defeating incumbent Democrat Karen Bass. Zohran Mamdani will serve as mayor of New York City. Janeese Lewis George was elected mayor of Washington, D.C. The DSA claims that these results give the progressive wing control of the two most populated cities in the country and a confrontational position in the capital. The mayor of D.C. will work alongside the president, who retains authority over certain local matters including police oversight.
According to a list provided by the organization, DSA candidates won 58 state offices and 33 municipal elections. The group also secured support for 22 ballot initiatives. Megan Romer, a co-president of the DSA, stated that Republicans, corporate Democrats, and special interest groups spent significant time and money opposing these candidates. She said their efforts failed and backfired.
The organization reported reaching 130,000 members last week. It cites growing support among working-class voters for its proposals to end military aid to Israel, address housing costs, and abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The DSA notes that its biggest wins came from states like California and New York, while it continues to face challenges in more conservative states.
