# The left’s victories at the ballot box: Zohran Mamdani’s socialist summer reaches the midterms

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-lefts-victories-at-the-ballot-box-zohran-mamdanis-socialist-summer-reaches-the-midterms/
- Published: 2026-11-04T17:23:04+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T06:42:00+00:00
- Original publisher: El País (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://english.elpais.com/usa/2026-11-04/the-lefts-victories-at-the-ballot-box-zohran-mamdanis-socialist-summer-reaches-the-midterms.html
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Politics, World

## Key points

- At least five DSA-backed candidates won midterm races.
- The gains bring left-wing Democrats greater influence in Washington.
- The movement’s next test is turning momentum into national policy.

## Summary

At least five candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) won congressional races or local executive offices in the US midterm elections. Their gains expand the movement’s presence in Washington and show that left-wing Democrats were able to benefit from opposition to the Trump administration without being rejected as too liberal.

Many of the incoming figures are young activists and organisers who support affordable housing and universal healthcare, oppose AIPAC and condemn the war in Gaza; some also call for abolishing ICE. The article links their momentum to Zohran Mamdani’s New York campaign and asks whether the left can influence national policy and shape the Democratic Party’s strategy for 2028. Abdul El-Sayed, who calls himself a capitalist rather than a socialist, is also poised to become the first Muslim senator in US history.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.