Infighting has erupted within the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) about the selection of its pick for U.S.president, as the group’s influence continues to grow on the national stage and speculation swirls about a 2028 presidential run by Rep.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.The infighting reveals fractures in the roughly 120,000-member group, which has emerged as the preeminent socialist group in America.The division also sheds light on how some Democratic Socialists of America members believe the group can gain a permanent foothold in American politics and deliver on its socialist ideals on a national scale.Some Democratic Socialists of America leaders have been pushing for an earlier presidential endorsement in place of the group's normal practice of selecting endorsements at its biennial national convention, which is set for summer 2027. One faction known as the "Groundwork" caucus is pushing strongly for the group to conduct a national member poll and "endorse AOC on day one." The caucus believes an early endorsement will help DSA hold a more influential early role in 2028 presidential politics and "build power for socialism." DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA LEADER SAYS ‘MANY’ IN GROUP WOULD BE 'THRILLED' AT AOC IN 2028In one online petition, DSA members voiced that "if we don’t have a member poll, we as members will be left out of DSA’s most fundamental way of building a democratic strategy."However, in a Sunday 14–13 vote, DSA's National Political Committee (NPC) rejected a proposal to allow the group's 2028 presidential endorsement to be decided through a nationwide all-member poll, according to Canary Mission.
By rejecting the proposal, the committee left the issue to DSA's existing convention process, meaning any national endorsement decision would likely wait until the organization's next convention in August 2027.The decision was blasted by many DSA members online. Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the group’s New York City chapter,...