Democratic Party popularity hits 30-year low as young socialists gain ground

TLDR:

• The Democratic Party hit a 30-year low with 63% of voters viewing it unfavorably, fueling a socialist uprising among young members
• Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s New York mayoral victory saw 75% of young voters (ages 18-29) support him
• More than half of Democratic voters now prefer socialist-aligned politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders over establishment leaders
• Young progressives say the party has been “captured by the wealthy few” and older leaders act like “doormats for Trump and Elon Musk”

A socialist revolution is brewing inside the Democratic Party as young progressives reject their aging leaders.

The party’s image cratered to its lowest point in more than 30 years, with 63% of voters expressing an unfavorable view, according to a Wall Street Journal poll in July. Young Democrats say that’s because the old guard has failed to solve problems and doesn’t share their embrace of socialist policies.

“They see this party — just like our government and our economy — as captured by the wealthy few,” wrote Alexandra Rojas, executive director of Justice Democrats.

The shift is showing up at the ballot box. Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won New York’s mayoral race with 75% support from voters ages 18-29. Rising stars include Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Summer Lee and Greg Casar.

A September poll found more than half of likely Democratic voters prefer socialist-aligned politicians over Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“Batons are never passed; they’re taken,” said David Dix, a political strategist.

Read more:

• ’Batons are never passed, they’re taken’: A far-left youth movement eyes Democrats’ senior leaders