The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) intend to field a presidential primary candidate in 2028 to shift the national political discourse toward working-class issues and labor unions, according to national co-chair Megan Romer.
While the group seeks the presidency, Romer stated that a primary run also serves to hold other candidates accountable and "move the needle" on healthcare and military spending during national debates.
The DSA's recent electoral momentum is highlighted by wins in New York House primaries and a victory in Colorado, where candidate Melat Kiros defeated a 30-year incumbent.
Economic Populism and the 2028 Presidential Ambitions
The push for a 2028 presidential primary candidate is a direct evolution of the movement sparked by Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign. Romer noted that Sanders’ openness about being a Democratic Socialist gave others “permission” to use the term publicly and broke the stigma associated with the label.
Romer explained that the organization's long-term vision involves replacing traditional policing models with "Care not Cops" programs, funded by investments in free healthcare, college, and childcare to address the root causes of crime.
By proposing concrete solutions for medical and childcare debt, the DSA aims to contrast itself with establishment candidates who Romer suggests often argue that their opponent is simply "worse" rather than offering systemic alternatives.
Internal Controversies and Candidate Vetting
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a recent winner in a New York City election, faced backlash for past posts on X (formerly Twitter) where she suggested white people should not be in interracial relationships and described wiping her hands on an American flag. Chevalier has since apologized and deleted her account.
Romer defended the organization’s approach to candidate selection, stating that the DSA does not “form candidates in a lab” or raise “perfect Model UN children.” She characterized these candidates as “imperfect, messy people” who did not necessarily spend their adult lives preparing for public office, comparing the nature of these social media controversies to the posting habits of Donald Trump.
Foreign Policy and Tensions Over Israel
Romer explicitly described Israel as a "genocidal apartheid state" and stated that the organization will not defend the state on any grounds, citing the conditions in the Gaza Strip as an "open-air concentration camp."
Zohran Mamdani referred to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as "monsters," citing philosopher Antonio Gramsci. Additionally, Melat Kiros, the victorious Colorado candidate, drew criticism after telling a reporter she did not know "what’s in the perpetrator’s heart" when asked about a firebombing attack on a Jewish gathering in Boulder.
In 2024, the DSA modified its endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez, adding "strings" to the agreement for the first time. The organization demanded a pledge that she would not fund any Israeli military operations, including defense or offense. Romer confirmed that Ocasio-Cortez eventually pledged to vote "no" on all funding for the Israeli military, aligning her more closely with Rep. Rashida Tlaib.