The Democratic Socialists of America, the largest socialist organization in the US, has reached 100,000 members.
The far-left group, which counts NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani among its members, touted the milestone on social media this weekend, which surpassed a goal it set in 2020.
Founded in 1982, DSA had a relatively small presence on the national stage — hovering around 6,000 members — until Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign introduced a new generation of radicals to the group.
Since then it’s become a political force, even taking credit for Mamdani’s election victory last year and helping shape his taxpayer-funded-giveaways-laden agenda.
However this week the New York chapter of the group broke with Mamdani in his endorsement of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s re-election bid. The chapter lambasted her for siding “with her billionaire donors while offering working-class New Yorkers crumbs.”
The group’s endorsements have become coveted prizes by many Democrats, both incumbents and those seeking office, in a move that could push the party farther to the left as moderates embrace lefty policies to try to avoid primary challenges.