Democrats Should Welcome Democratic Socialists

The Democratic Party prides itself on being a big tent. But when it comes to Democratic Socialists, Democrats are missing the forest for the trees.

Kevin HarrisAt a time when the party’s brand is battered, democracy itself is under strain, and economic inequality continues to widen, the need to embrace democratic socialists is a hard truth for many Democrats to accept. But that’s exactly what needs to happen if Democrats want to rebuild their brand, reconnect with working class voters and ultimately defeat Trump and MAGA Republicans at the ballot box.  

This doesn’t mean every Democrat must become a democratic socialist or agree with every far-left policy. It simply means Democrats recognizing they have more in common than disagreement with democratic socialist.  Both believe in democratic institutions, civil liberties, racial equality, workers' rights, environmental stewardship, and an economy that works for ordinary people rather than only the wealthy.

They may disagree about the size of government, the pace of reform, or the best policy mechanisms to achieve these goals but those differences pale in comparison to the differences that exist between Democrats and MAGA. And increasingly, key demographics of voters that Democrats need to win are showing a willingness to embrace democratic socialist candidates.   

Democrats are foolish to deny this reality.  

Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York City marked the largest electoral breakthrough in the history of the Democratic Socialists of America. Mamdani’s victory showed a democratic socialist could build a broad and diverse winning coalition in America's largest city. Mamdani’s impact extended into New York’s recent congressional primaries where three of his endorsed candidates defeated establishment backed Democrats. Among those defeated is the current Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus who lost his re-election bid to a democratic socialist. 

In Seattle, Katie Wilson won the mayoralty after campaigning on affordability and public investment. In Washington, D.C., Janeese Lewis George recently won the Democratic mayoral primary and is expected to become the city's next mayor. All succeeded in part by appealing to voters frustrated by rising costs and dissatisfied with politics as usual. 

Democrats should see these victories as an opportunity rather than a threat. Historically, successful political movements have been coalitions rather than ideological purity tests. Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal coalition united labor organizers, urban liberals, rural voters, and reformers with differing visions of government's role. The civil rights movement brought together activists with a wide range of political philosophies. Progress was achieved not because everyone agreed on every issue, but because they agreed on enough.

And when it comes to the most loyal base of the Democratic Party, Democrats must also remember that some of the most notable figures in Black history such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. DuBois, A. Phillip Randolph, Bayard Rustin and the founders of the Black Panther Party were either socialist or inspired by socialism. 

Mamdani and Lewis George in particular performed well with Black voters who were more than comfortable supporting the socialist candidate over establishment Democrats. 

Still some Democrats worry an association with democratic socialism could alienate moderate voters. That concern deserves consideration. But recent elections suggest that excluding democratic socialists may carry risks of its own. Many younger voters, renters, workers burdened by rising costs, and grassroots organizers are finding a political home in democratic socialist movements. Driving them away weakens the coalition Democrats need to win elections. 

Democrats should also confront the uncomfortable reality that the appeal of democratic socialists is rooted in the party’s own failures to build and maintain its bond with working class voters. 

Many working class voters who once formed the backbone of democratic coalitions have drifted away. Working class voters express frustration that Democrats don’t deliver real solutions on big issues like healthcare and wages.

The Democratic Party's biggest challenge is not democratic socialism. The Democrat's real challenge is that too many Americans no longer see them as a vehicle for meaningful change in their daily lives. 

Candidates such as Mamdani, Wilson, and Lewis George haven’t succeeded because voters suddenly embraced socialism. Democratic socialists are succeeding because of the void Democrats created in the first place. 

Kevin Harris is a Democratic strategist who has advised over 100 campaigns and ballot measures, including the past five presidential elections, served in the Obama Administration, cabinet member for two big city mayors and Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus.