In June, a 28-year-old Latina from the Bronx running on a far-left platform of Medicare for everyone, strict gun control and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) beat a 10-term incumbent in the race to become the Democratic candidate for New York City’s 14th Congressional District.
The Salt Lake Democratic Socialists of America saw a bump in membership after President Donald Trump was elected in 2016. But organizers agree that the momentum they’ve seen in the past two months — swelling now to more than 270 members — coincides with the candidacy of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is herself a member of the national chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.