DSA Wins in New York City Spark Debate
Bhaskar Sunkara, a Guardian US columnist and president of The Nation, reflects on the recent victories of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates in New York City. Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat, and Claire Valdez won the open seat vacated by Nydia Velázquez. With at least 15 endorsed candidates heading to Albany, the movement that propelled Zohran Mamdani to mayor is gaining governing power.
However, Sunkara warns that centrist commentators quickly pushed back. ABC News noted that while Mamdani won big, a moderate won the swing-seat primary in NY-17 and a centrist beat progressives in Utah. Andrew Mamo of The Bench claimed leftwing candidates have "a ceiling of 30% in swing districts."
The Challenge of Rural America
DSA now has chapters in 47 states, but Sunkara acknowledges this isn't enough. Jared Abbott of the Center for Working Class Politics found that of nearly 100 Congressional Progressive Caucus members in 2024, only one—Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico—represented a mostly rural district. Rural and rural-suburban districts make up 41% of the House and a larger share of state legislatures.
"The math doesn't work unless we contest rural America," Sunkara writes. The Senate gives Wyoming as many votes as California, making it impossible for a party confined to a dozen metros to sustain a majority.
Economic Views Offer Hope
Abbott's research shows rural voters are whiter, older, and more conservative on immigration, but on economics they align with progressives. Majorities support a $15 minimum wage and Medicare for All. Over 80% want background checks on gun sales. The Race-Class Narrative project found 89% of rural respondents agreed with the line: "In small towns and rural communities, we believe in looking out for each other."
Abbott estimates 29% of rural Trump voters back a $15 wage and oppose banning abortion—enough persuadable voters to reshape politics.
Dan Osborn as a Model
Dan Osborn, a machinist who led the Kellogg's strike, is running for Senate in Nebraska as an independent. He polls far ahead of typical Nebraska Democrats by focusing on Social Security, taxing the rich, and "right to repair"—the idea that tractor owners should be able to fix their equipment without manufacturer permission. Backed by the United Auto Workers, Osborn led in a May poll, showing anti-corporate populism can win in Trump country.
Sunkara concludes that progressives need rhetorical discipline and a willingness to address plant closings and capital flight, which devastated rural and urban working-class communities alike.
