Democratic Socialists Could Double the Squad After Tuesday as a New 'Bloc' Eyes Leverage Over Leadership

The far-left wing of the House Democratic caucus could look very different after Tuesday's midterm elections. A wave of primary wins by candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America has set up what could be a major expansion of the group best known as "the Squad."

The Squad took shape after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her seat in 2018. Since then, it has grown into one of the most visible factions inside the Democratic Party, often pushing leadership further left than it wanted to go.

According to an estimate reported by the New York Post, the faction's current core of seven members could grow to as many as 16 lawmakers once the new Congress is seated. Counting other progressives who share many of the same goals without formal ties to DSA, the number could approach two dozen.

Who Is Coming to Washington

DSA says seven of the candidates it endorsed are positioned to serve in the next Congress. That list includes Ocasio-Cortez and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, along with five newcomers: Chris Rabb, Melat Kiros, Donavan McKinney, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez.

All five are running in heavily Democratic districts, and the organization says none of its seven candidates faces a competitive general election. In practical terms, their arrival in Washington is close to a done deal.

DSA endorsed 10 House candidates this cycle, along with hundreds of candidates and ballot measures nationwide. Others it backs are running in deep-blue areas, including in California, which could push its numbers in Congress higher still.

Several of the incoming members have already talked about acting as a group rather than as individuals. That emerging group has been nicknamed "the Bloc," a label meant to set it apart from the original Squad.

Why a Small Group Could Matter

The real power of the new faction depends on the math. If Democrats win the House by only a few seats, a coordinated group of a dozen or more members could hold the deciding votes on almost everything.

That leverage could show up early. Electing a new speaker, if Democrats take control, would require nearly every Democratic vote, giving progressives a chance to demand commitments from leadership before they sign on. Members could also threaten to withhold support for House rules, press for amendment votes or bargain over committee seats.

The policy wish list is long. Across the broader DSA movement, priorities include Medicare for All, stronger rent controls and higher taxes on the wealthy. Some DSA-backed candidates have called for abolishing ICE and demilitarizing the southern border.

Valdez has called for nationwide rent control and supports a transgender bill of rights. Rabb has backed government-run grocery stores, an idea also tied to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's agenda. Other proposals floated by candidates and allied groups include ending cash bail and cutting U.S. military aid to Israel.

Not every progressive candidate endorses every DSA position, which means the coalition is likely to be less unified than a traditional caucus. But the newcomers have openly discussed working together on legislation, committees and internal party rules.

Republicans See an Opening

Republicans are already making the expanded socialist presence a central part of their closing argument. RNC spokeswoman Delanie Bomar told the Post that a larger Squad would pressure Democratic leaders into pursuing unpopular ideological priorities.

Some Democrats share the worry, though for different reasons. A former Democratic leadership aide told the Post the newcomers would likely chase influential committee assignments and try to dominate the party's message, which could make it harder for leadership to stay focused on the economy.

Beyond Congress, DSA-backed politicians are increasingly running for state legislative and city offices, building a bench that could feed future races.

Whether that bench turns into real power in Washington depends largely on what voters decide Tuesday. A narrow Democratic majority would hand the Bloc its biggest opening, while a Republican House would leave it in the minority.