Zohran Mamdani's rise shines a brighter spotlight on democratic socialists

Mamdani’s surge past former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in June’s Democratic primary for New York City mayor didn’t just put the 34-year-old state assemblyman on the political map. It also shined a brighter spotlight on the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA.

On Sunday night in Queens, the vibrations from thousands of cheering Zohran Mamdani supporters reverberated throughout Forest Hills Stadium, as the audience burst into the same chant as speaker after speaker took the stage: “DSA, DSA.”

Mamdani’s surge past former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in June’s Democratic primary for New York City mayor didn’t just put the 34-year-old state assemblyman on the political map. It also highlighted the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA — a spotlight that's growing brighter as Mamdani enters next week's general election as the frontrunner.

The organization known for attacking a capitalist-oriented status quo in the name of fighting for working-class people has grown in prominence in recent years in part due to its association with figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. And its contours continue to evolve, as Mamdani — who identifies himself as both a Democrat and a democratic socialist — prepares for what could be the organization’s most important electoral result yet.

“I call myself a democratic socialist, in many ways inspired by the words of Dr. King from decades ago. ‘Call it democracy, or call it democratic socialism, there has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of God’s children in this country,’” Mamdani said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” this summer.

But socialism is also unpopular throughout much of the country, used as a cudgel against Sanders in his presidential campaigns and against Democratic candidates more broadly, too.