Local leaders of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in Brooklyn recently urged hundreds of mostly young supporters to avoid complacency despite notable electoral successes. New York City already has a socialist representative in the US Congress and a newly elected socialist mayor, but Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the city’s DSA chapter, emphasized that “If we only elect Zohran, we only elect AOC, our project will have been a failure. Our ambitions are so much higher than just a position in government.”

Following the state’s Democratic primary elections, nine of the 10 New York City candidates backed by DSA achieved victories, prompting the city’s chapter to declare in an email that for the second consecutive year they “SHOCKED the political establishment and the millionaires who tried to stop our movement.”

A standout upset was Darializa Avila Chevalier’s win in the NY-13 congressional race. A pro-Palestinian political newcomer, Chevalier defeated a veteran incumbent who outspent her by millions. Siddique, a DSA member, remarked, “Going into it I was prepared for any range of outcomes, personally – but to have such a solid sweep is incredible.”

The DSA’s pro-Palestinian stance has been a defining feature, especially following the October 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel. This position led to some internal criticism, including the departure of Isserman, who left the organization over its response and a pro-Palestinian rally in Times Square endorsed by the city’s DSA chapter, where some attendees appeared to celebrate the violence.

After earlier fluctuations in membership following Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns and losses in 2024 by DSA-backed Congress members Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman, the organization is experiencing renewed energy. Isserman noted the challenges ahead, stating, “One thing about actually governing is that it’s very different than simply being an echo chamber with your 20 closest comrades and trying to please them. It’s going to be a maturing experience for a generation of young socialists.”

The DSA’s support for Palestinian liberation continues to distinguish its candidates from some progressive opponents, even those aligned on issues like affordability, housing, and immigration enforcement in New York.

Sources