CNN: Growing Number of Democrat Voters Now Identify As Socialists

The Democratic Party is undergoing a fundamental transformation that could profoundly affect America’s future.

An alarming number of the party’s voters are moving to the extreme left, and it’s not yet clear that current Democratic leaders know how to respond.

Roughly one-third of Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults identify as democratic socialists, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS.

The survey found that while these voters remain among the Democratic Party’s most loyal supporters, many also favor significant changes within the party as democratic socialist candidates continue to gain traction in elections.

After New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defeated former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo last year, several candidates identifying as democratic socialists have won party nominations in U.S. House races, including successful primary challenges against incumbent Reps. Adriano Espaillat of New York and Diana DeGette of Colorado.

Upcoming primary elections will test whether the momentum behind democratic socialist candidates can extend beyond traditionally Democratic strongholds.

In Wisconsin, for example, recent polling in the Democratic gubernatorial primary found democratic socialist Francesca Hong leading the field in the closely watched battleground state, offering an early measure of the movement’s broader electoral appeal.

So, who makes up the socialist-leaning Democrat voters? CNN’s survey revealed the answers:

Tend to be younger (59% are younger than 45, compared to 46% of non-democratic socialists aligned with the Democratic Party) and are more likely to be White (57% to 49%)
Are less likely to have a college degree (66% to 54%) and more likely to earn less than $100,000 a year (76% to 65%)
Are more likely to say they are extremely motivated to vote this year (66% of those who are registered voters say so, compared to 57% for non-democratic socialists), though both groups overwhelmingly support Democratic congressional candidates (99% of democratic socialists and 94% of non-democratic socialists)
Are more positive toward the Democratic Party. They are more likely to hold favorable views of the Democratic Party (68% to 60%) and its congressional leaders, and more likely to have negative views of the Republican Party and its congressional leaders

Democratic socialists are about as likely as other Democratic-leaning Americans to believe the Democratic Party needs either major reforms or a complete overhaul.

However, they are more likely to support replacing the party’s current leadership, nominating younger candidates, and moving the party further to the left on policy issues.

The CNN/SSRS poll also found notable differences over U.S. policy toward Israel.

Among respondents who identify as democratic socialists, 48% said they would be enthusiastic about a candidate who favors reducing U.S. support for Israel, compared with 20% of Democratic-aligned adults who do not identify as democratic socialists.

The issue has become a prominent topic in many Democratic primaries since the start of the war in Gaza.

Among democratic socialists who expressed an opinion, overwhelming majorities viewed the Democratic Socialists of America favorably, along with elected officials who identify with the movement, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

The survey also found that most Democratic-aligned adults would be open to their party nominating a democratic socialist for president.

While enthusiasm was significantly higher among self-identified democratic socialists, 64% of Democratic-aligned adults who do not identify as democratic socialists said they would at least be comfortable with such a nominee, while 36% said they would be uneasy or upset.

Many of the DSA’s ideas, however, are not compatible with public safety or the Constitution.

The DSA platform calls for defunding police departments, getting rid of prisons, and completely open borders.

Meanwhile, the DSA also calls for essentially dismantling the presidency, Senate, and the Supreme Court, making all of subjegated to an all-powerful ‘people’s Congress’ – none of which could happen without substantial changes to the Constitution.

This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.

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