Socialists see success by abandoning anti-Trump messaging for anti-establishment strategy

Published June 29, 2026 6:00am ET



The Democratic Socialists of America secured a slate of candidates who notched high-profile victories in New York, fueling new questions about whether the organization’s brand of progressive politics is finding a broader audience within the Democratic Party.

While many national Democratic leaders have focused the party’s midterm messaging on taking back control of Congress and opposition to President Donald Trump, a review of campaign websites, interviews, and messaging from several socialist candidates shows a different emphasis.

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