In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.The Democratic Socialists of America have spent years building influence inside the Democratic Party, recruiting candidates, building campaign infrastructure, and embedding operatives inside races stretching far beyond the deep-blue urban enclaves where the movement first gained traction.Now, after a fresh wave of primary victories in 2026 races across the country and Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s high-profile rise in New York politics, DSA-aligned candidates and organizers are becoming increasingly difficult for Democrats to ignore.
Mamdani’s victory last year gave the DSA one of its biggest governing footholds yet and accelerated the expansion of progressive political infrastructure into congressional, state, and local races nationwide.
The DSA’s own election tracker underscores that growth. According to figures published by the organization, “Team DSA” candidates were involved in 133 races this cycle, with 14 wins already secured, 91 candidates still running, and 27 losses recorded so far.
