About One-Third of US Democrats Identify as Democratic Socialists, Poll Shows
A CNN/SSRS poll found that roughly 34% of Democrats and Democratic‑leaning adults now describe themselves as democratic socialists. The respondents in this group tend to be younger and whiter than other Democrats – 59% are under 45 and 57% are white. They are also less likely to hold a college degree and more likely to earn under $100,000 a year (76% versus 65% of non‑socialist Democrats). Voter enthusiasm is high, with 66% saying they are extremely motivated to vote this year compared with 57% of other Democrats. Support for the party remains strong: 99% would back Democratic congressional candidates, versus 94% of their non‑socialist peers. On foreign policy, 48% of democratic socialists favor reducing U.S. military aid to Israel, compared with 20% of other Democrats.
The surge in identification coincides with recent electoral wins for self‑identified democratic socialists, such as New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani and several congressional primary victories. In Wisconsin, Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist backed by the DSA, leads the Democratic gubernatorial primary poll, outpacing former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes by 21 points, positioning her as the likely nominee.
Analysts note that the growing share of democratic socialists could shape upcoming primaries and the broader direction of the Democratic Party.
Entities: CNN · Democratic Socialists · Democratic Socialists of America · Francesca Hong · United States · United States Democratic Party · Zohran Mamdani
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 8 SOURCES] 59% of those identifying as democratic socialists are younger than 45. (CNN poll)
- [● 8 SOURCES] 48% of democratic socialists favor cutting U.S. military aid to Israel, compared with 20% of other Democrats. (CNN poll)
- [● 8 SOURCES] Approximately 34% of Democrats and Democratic‑leaning adults identify as democratic socialists according to a CNN/SSRS poll. (CNN poll)
- [● 8 SOURCES] 66% of democratic socialists say they are extremely motivated to vote this year, versus 57% of other Democrats. (CNN poll)
- [● 8 SOURCES] 57% of democratic socialists are white. (CNN poll)
- [● 8 SOURCES] 76% of democratic socialists earn less than $100,000 annually, compared with 65% of other Democrats. (CNN poll)
- [● 8 SOURCES] 99% of democratic socialists would support Democratic congressional candidates, compared with 94% of other Democrats. (CNN poll)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Francesca Hong leads the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary poll, ahead of former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes by 21 points. (Marquette Law School poll (reported in article))