CNN: Growing Number of Democrat Voters Now Identify As Socialists

Democratic socialism is gaining a substantial foothold within the Democratic electorate, according to a new CNN poll that points to growing pressure for younger candidates, new leadership and a further shift left on policy.

The survey, conducted by SSRS, found that roughly one-third of Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults identify as democratic socialists. These respondents are among the party’s most dependable supporters, but their loyalty comes alongside demands to change its direction.

For Democratic leaders, the findings present a challenge from within their own coalition. Voters embracing the socialist label are generally more enthusiastic about the party than other Democratic-aligned Americans, yet more inclined to replace its leadership and push its agenda leftward.

The results arrive as candidates associated with democratic socialism gain ground in Democratic primaries.

Following Zohran Mamdani’s victory over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in last year’s New York City mayoral race, democratic socialist candidates have secured congressional nominations, including through successful challenges against incumbent Reps. Adriano Espaillat of New York and Diana DeGette of Colorado.

Whether that success can extend beyond reliably Democratic districts remains a significant electoral question.

Wisconsin provides one potential test. Polling in the Democratic gubernatorial primary placed democratic socialist Francesca Hong ahead of the field, suggesting the movement could influence nominations in a competitive battleground state as well as liberal strongholds.

The CNN survey offers a detailed picture of the voters behind that shift.

Among Democratic-aligned adults who identify as democratic socialists, 59% are younger than 45. That compares with 46% among those who do not embrace the label.

The socialist-identifying group is also more likely to be White, at 57%, compared with 49% of other Democratic-aligned adults.

Educational and income differences are notable. Sixty-six percent of self-identified democratic socialists do not have a college degree, compared with 54% of their counterparts. Seventy-six percent report annual earnings below $100,000, versus 65% of those who do not identify as democratic socialists.

Their political motivation could make those differences consequential in elections.

Among registered voters in the socialist-identifying group, 66% describe themselves as extremely motivated to vote this year, compared with 57% among other Democratic-aligned registered voters.

Both groups overwhelmingly support Democratic congressional candidates: 99% of democratic socialists and 94% of those who do not identify that way.

The findings suggest that democratic socialists are an engaged part of the party’s electoral base, with potential influence over which candidates advance and what positions those candidates adopt.

Sixty-eight percent view the Democratic Party favorably, compared with 60% of other Democratic-aligned adults. They are also more favorable toward Democratic congressional leaders and more negative toward the Republican Party and its congressional leadership.

That approval does not translate into satisfaction with the status quo.

Both groups are about equally likely to say the Democratic Party needs major reforms or a complete overhaul. Democratic socialists, however, are more likely to favor replacing current leaders, selecting younger nominees and moving further left on policy.

Foreign policy exposes another substantial divide, particularly over Israel.

Forty-eight percent of democratic socialists said they would be enthusiastic about a candidate who supports reducing U.S. assistance to Israel. Only 20% of Democratic-aligned adults outside that group expressed the same enthusiasm.

The gap illustrates the pressure facing Democratic candidates as arguments over Israel’s conduct and the war in Gaza feature prominently in party primaries.

Among democratic socialists who offered an opinion, overwhelming majorities viewed the Democratic Socialists of America favorably. They also expressed favorable views of prominent figures associated with the movement, including Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

The survey’s implications extend to presidential politics.

Most Democratic-aligned adults said they would be open to a democratic socialist presidential nominee. Even among those who do not personally identify as democratic socialists, 64% said they would at least be comfortable with such a candidate.

The remaining 36% said they would feel uneasy or upset. Enthusiasm was substantially stronger among respondents who already embraced the socialist label.

For conservatives, the policy implications warrant scrutiny beyond the terminology.

The DSA agenda described in the report includes defunding police, abolishing prisons and opening borders. Such proposals raise fundamental questions about protecting communities, enforcing immigration law and maintaining national sovereignty.

The report also describes proposals to subordinate the presidency, Senate and Supreme Court to a dominant ‘people’s Congress’. Implementing that restructuring would require substantial constitutional changes and would challenge the separation of powers central to America’s constitutional republic.

Identifying as a democratic socialist does not establish that a respondent endorses every DSA proposal. The poll nevertheless shows that the label itself is no longer a barrier for a large share of Democratic-aligned voters.

Democratic leaders now face an increasingly organized and motivated constituency seeking greater influence over nominations, leadership and policy. How they respond will help determine whether the party’s socialist wing remains one faction among many or increasingly defines its national direction.