Democratic Socialists Gain Mayoral and Local Power
A record number of Democratic Socialists of America members are poised to lead U.S. cities after election victories that also expanded the group’s presence in Congress and local and state offices. Nithya Raman won the Los Angeles mayor’s race, and Janeese Lewis George was elected mayor of Washington, D.C. David Morales won in Providence, Rhode Island, and Yousef Rabhi in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They will join socialist mayors in cities including New York, where Zohran Mamdani is mayor, and Seattle, whose mayor, Katie Wilson, identifies as a democratic socialist but is not a DSA member.
The incoming mayors campaigned on affordability and improvements to everyday life. Raman has promised more housing and better public transit; Lewis George has promoted universal childcare, public housing and stronger tenant protections. Morales has supported lower-cost homes and urged businesses to help fund schools and municipal services. Rabhi has promised to oppose data centers and keep utility costs affordable.
In Southern California, DSA-backed candidates also won or were leading in races across Los Angeles, Burbank, West Hollywood, Inglewood, Santa Ana and Irvine. In Burbank, Mike Van Gorder and Nolan Southerland were in second and third place among 13 candidates; if elected, they would join DSA member Konstantine Anthony to form a majority on the five-member council. In Orange County, endorsed candidates were leading in three Santa Ana council races, while Irvine Measure D, which would introduce ranked-choice voting beginning in 2028, was passing.
The victories bring more responsibility to demonstrate that socialist priorities can produce practical results. Labor studies professor and DSA member Eric Blanc said the executive responsibilities of mayors raise the stakes. Seattle Mayor Wilson urged incoming officials to deliver on what city government can control and handle basic services effectively, while staying connected to grassroots organizers.
Socialist Mayors Face a Chance to Make Affordability Real
Voters have given democratic socialists a larger role in city government, creating an opportunity to show that public action can make everyday life more affordable. Nithya Raman won the Los Angeles mayor’s race, Janeese Lewis George was elected mayor of Washington, D.C., and DSA members David Morales and Yousef Rabhi won in Providence and Ann Arbor. They join a growing group that includes New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Their campaigns centered on needs residents encounter directly: housing, transit, childcare, tenant protections and utility costs. Raman has promised more housing and improved public transit. Lewis George has campaigned for universal childcare and public housing, while Morales has advocated for attainable homes and asked companies to provide more support for schools and municipal programs. Rabhi has promised to oppose data centers and keep utilities affordable.
The gains also reached Southern California, where DSA-backed candidates won or led in races in Los Angeles, Burbank, West Hollywood, Inglewood and Santa Ana. In Burbank, two DSA candidates were in second and third place among 13 contenders; alongside current councilmember Konstantine Anthony, their election would create a DSA majority on the five-member council. Irvine voters were also passing a measure to adopt ranked-choice voting in city races starting in 2028.
The test now is whether these officials can translate their promises into results. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, who identifies as a democratic socialist but is not a DSA member, said mayors must pair broad ambitions with competent delivery of basic services. Blanc said socialist mayors have a chance to show that government can improve people’s lives, even as their authority is limited to municipal matters.
Socialist Mayors Must Prove Their Promises Can Work
Democratic socialists have gained city halls and local offices, but campaign promises on housing, childcare and utility costs now face the practical demands of governing. Nithya Raman won the Los Angeles mayor’s race, Janeese Lewis George was elected mayor of Washington, D.C., and DSA members David Morales and Yousef Rabhi won in Providence and Ann Arbor. Their victories add to the group’s growing presence in public office.
The new mayors have offered expansive plans. Raman has promised more housing and better public transit; Lewis George has campaigned for universal childcare, public housing and stronger tenant protections. Morales has called for corporations to pay more toward public education and city services, while Rabhi has pledged to oppose data centers and keep utilities affordable. These officials will be judged on whether their cities can deliver those changes while maintaining the basics.
Southern California also saw DSA-backed candidates win or lead in races across Los Angeles, Burbank, West Hollywood, Inglewood and Santa Ana. In Burbank, two candidates were in second and third place among 13 contenders and could join current DSA councilmember Konstantine Anthony to form a majority on the five-member council. In Irvine, a measure to bring ranked-choice voting to city races starting in 2028 was passing.
A political science professor said it was too soon to expect radical socialist policies in Los Angeles and said he would not expect a revolution during Raman’s mayoralty. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, a democratic socialist who is not a DSA member, likewise emphasized the need to get routine city services right. The expanding movement now faces the challenge of turning ambitious plans into tangible results within the reach of city government.
Reported by The Guardian, LAist.
