In New York, expressions of love might come out differently. Instead of the classic ‘I love you,’ it’s more common to hear something like, ‘The NYPD sucks.’ There’s a certain beauty in that, I think.
Imagine a world without prisons and police, or even borders—it’s an idea many feel is not just possible but necessary. It seems like the only moral path we can take going forward.
Political parties are often judged by their actions rather than their labels.
And then there’s the contentious claim: “Trick question — Israel does not exist.”
These quotes have circulated on social media, attributed to Daria Lisa Avila Chevalier, a candidate supported by the Democratic Socialists of America who recently won the Democratic primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District in 2026.
Despite this, many Democrats still regard the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) as a marginal group lacking real influence within the party. Recently, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D.N.J.) stated that a sensible Democratic Party should oppose socialist policies.
However, evidence suggests a different story.
The DSA’s impact isn’t solely measured by how many of its members are in office; instead, its influence can be seen in how many of its priorities have woven themselves into mainstream Democratic Party ideology.
As of now, around 250 DSA members are set to take office by 2025, with approximately 90% of them not serving in Congress. Yet, the movement’s strength is visible—not just in Congress but also among local officials like mayors and city council members. This year, 35 candidates endorsed by the DSA seem poised to make headway in the primaries and potentially pursue higher office.
The DSA’s grip on the Democratic Party seems to be tightening.
Let’s break down the issues. The DSA advocates strong reforms in several areas, opening debates on immigration, transgender rights, and policies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
For years, they’ve pushed for Supreme Court expansion to diminish conservative sway over judicial matters. Remarkably, Democratic leaders seem to be leaning in that direction as well. Former Vice President Kamala Harris has voiced support for reforming the Supreme Court, while Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) introduced a plan to expand the court to 13 justices alongside Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
On gender policy, the DSA is quite vocal about taxpayer-funded transgender procedures, even for minors, and has pressured hospitals to comply.
Former New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin argued schools should have the discretion to withhold information from parents when children transition socially. The implicit message? Parents don’t necessarily get the final word.
Immigration is another area of intersection.
The DSA has made clear its opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), labeling it a tool of state violence. Not coincidentally, Democrats in varying positions have pushed back against federal immigration enforcement.
Senator Andy Kim (D.N.J.) has publicly supported anti-ICE activists, while Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) has curtailed state involvement with federal immigration authorities, advocating for more legal support for immigrants.
The language may differ, but the underlying impact remains the same.
A recurring theme arises with the issue of free speech.
Following Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and the reinstatement of various conservative accounts, the New York City DSA initiated a campaign against Musk’s policies.
Similarly, Democratic officials have frequently criticized Musk’s moderation practices, pushing for a more stringent approach both domestically and internationally.
In another instance, after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the DSA called for a liberation of Palestine, a movement many prominent progressives within the Democratic Party also support. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) have all taken up this cause alongside calls to defund police departments.
Though the DSA doesn’t officially control today’s Democratic Party, they increasingly promote similar agendas. This alignment makes it imperative for Democrats to distance themselves from the socialist label, a term that still carries political stigma.
The crux of the matter is that voters evaluate parties by their actions, not their self-identifications. As the Democrats adopt platforms once unique to the DSA, that distinction fades.
The reality for voters in 2026? Supporting the Democratic Party means endorsing many of the policies championed by the DSA.
