With the 2028 presidential primaries still over a year away, the Democratic Party is increasingly grappling with its ideological direction, as a growing number of candidates and voters express openness to democratic socialism. This shift was evident in recent campaign stops in New Hampshire, a state that narrowly favored Donald Trump in the 2024 election, where progressive figures such as Representative Ro Khanna of California called for sweeping systemic changes rather than incremental reforms.

Khanna, along with Abdul El-Sayed, a former Columbia University epidemiology professor and a leading candidate in Michigan’s upcoming Democratic Senate primary, is advocating for a bolder approach to politics. El-Sayed has positioned himself as a challenger to the party establishment, accusing centrist leaders like Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of aligning too closely with corporate interests. His primary opponent, Representative Haley Stevens, backed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and other party moderates, represents the more centrist faction of the party, highlighting the ideological divide as Democrats seek to reclaim power in a politically competitive landscape.

This internal conflict reflects a larger struggle over the future identity of the Democratic Party and the place of democratic socialist ideas within it. Though neither Khanna nor El-Sayed identifies as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the prominence of figures such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Bernie Sanders, and newly elected officials like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani illustrates the growing influence of socialist-leaning voices in American politics. In last year’s New York primaries, several candidates affiliated with the DSA won key races, signaling the movement’s expanding footprint.

Polling data show that about one-third of Democrats now describe themselves as democratic socialists, although this does not necessarily equate to full support for the DSA’s platform or membership, which remains relatively small. Broader public opinion remains divided; while approximately 75 percent of Democrats are open to a democratic socialist presidential candidate, a Washington Post-Ipsos poll found that 55 percent of all voters would oppose such a candidate. Misconceptions persist, with nearly a third of Americans equating democratic socialism with communism, a conflation frequently exploited by former President Trump, who has characterized left-leaning opponents as threats to religion and American values.

The divide over ideology is compounded by demographic factors, with younger and more highly educated voters showing greater receptivity to democratic socialism than older or less-educated cohorts. This generational difference is shaping the strategy of Democratic candidates as they navigate a political environment where the party’s prospects of regaining control of Congress depend on appealing not only to its progressive base but also to independents and moderate voters.

The debate within the Democratic Party echoes historical tensions over socialism in U.S. politics, last prominently represented by Eugene Debs in the early 20th century. Debs famously ran for president multiple times, even campaigning from prison, and symbolized a strain of American socialism distinct from movements abroad. Today, as Democrats confront questions about their core principles and electoral strategy, the influence of socialist ideas is emerging as a defining factor in the party’s evolving identity.