Record number of DSA‑backed candidates win US midterm seats

A record number of candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) were elected to federal office in the United States midterm elections on 3 November.

The DSA said more than 120,000 members across all 50 states voted to support candidates who share its positions on the war in Gaza, universal healthcare and immigration. National Electoral Commission member Chanpreet Singh described the result as “a record for the DSA; these are numbers we have not seen in over a hundred years in socialist electoral activity.”

In New York, three DSA‑affiliated candidates – Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Brad Lander – were elected to the US House of Representatives, while incumbent Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez was re‑elected. Chevalier, a former aide to New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, is noted for organising pro‑Palestinian protests.

Michigan saw the re‑election of DSA member Rashida Tlaib, the first‑time election of Donavan McKinney, and the victory of William Lawrence over a Republican rival. In Colorado, 29‑year‑old immigrant Melat Kiros won a House seat with a wide margin.

Other winners included Chris Rabb in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Angela Gonzales‑Torres in Los Angeles, California; and Adam Hamawy in New Jersey, who, although not a DSA member, campaigned alongside the movement.

Source: Al Jazeera. Photo: Element5 Digital / Pexels.