NOW PLAYING
About a third of Democrats identify as democratic socialists, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS, showing the growing influence of the party’s progressive wing.
While they make up the minority of the party, the survey found that they are among Democrats’ most loyal supporters and are more likely than other Democrats to favor sweeping changes to party leadership and direction.
The subset of Democrats has gained major momentum in recent years, notching notable wins by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) and democratic socialists in three New York congressional primaries.
Compared with other Democrats, they are more likely to be younger than 45 years old, white and make less than $100,000 a year, according to the survey data.
They also reported higher levels of enthusiasm ahead of this year’s midterm elections. Among respondents who are registered voters, 66 percent of democratic socialists said they are extremely motivated to vote, compared with 57 percent of other Democrats.
The emerging subset is also more likely to support changes to the party’s current leadership, nominating younger candidates and moving the party further to the left on policy issues.
Recent polling shows Americans are split about their understanding of what democratic socialism is. In a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday, 47 percent of respondents reported they do not understand democratic socialist policies, compared with 49 percent who said they do.
Twenty-seven percent said democratic socialists have at least some good ideas, while 51 percent said there were very little, if any, beneficial beliefs.
The rise of democratic socialists has created an opening for Republicans to liken the movement to communism.
The threat of communism has become a focal point in Republicans’ midterm argument as the party seeks to paint Democrats broadly as communists.
President Trump has repeatedly sounded the alarm on the threat of communism, referring to it as “the greatest threat to our country in history” at a campaign-style stop in Michigan ahead of the state’s primary elections.
“We can’t let them get their claws into this incredible, they call it an experiment,” he said.
The CNN poll surveyed 1,225 U.S. adults online or by telephone July 23-27 and had a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points.
Add as preferred source on Google Tags Donald TrumpCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comments: Link copiedMore Campaign News
See All
Campaign Ossoff reelection bid, 5 House seats move toward Democrats: Sabato’s Crystal Ball by Ryan Mancini 5 minutes ago Campaign / 5 minutes ago 
