After the victories of many socialists in American primaries, I wanted to take a closer look at the appeal of socialist ideas to Americans. I want to understand who endorses DSA candidates and views socialism favorably, what supporters of socialism in America think the candidates will deliver.
Note: I used AI to find primary polling sources to see what information is available. If you find other credible primary sources, please let me know in comments. I will gladly update/supplement the article.
Jan. 20 to Jan. 26, 2026; 8,512 panelists responded out of 9,302
Pew Research Center found in 2026 that among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, about one-third said they like political leaders who identify as democratic socialists. This is direct evidence that a meaningful share of the Democratic-aligned electorate is not merely willing to tolerate such candidates but positively views that political identity. About 56% say they neither like nor dislike political leaders who call themselves democratic socialists. Pew published the findings on their website on June 30, 2026.
The survey, conducted Jan. 20-26, finds that Americans overall tend to dislike more than like leaders who identify as democratic socialists (38% vs. 17%). A sizable share (43%) say they neither like nor dislike these leaders.
To get a more granular view of democratic and left-leaning people's view of socialist leaders, take a look at the data below. White, younger, and college-degreed people are more likely to view democratic socialists positively. However, those whom socialist candidates claim to represent like them the least: Lower income - 24% and no college degree - 26%.
SOURCE: pewresearch.org
November 7-10, 2025; 1,663 U.S. Adult Citizens
About a third of American citizens view socialism favorably, and 31% would consider voting for a socialist president.
There are no major differences between white, black, and Hispanic Americans as far as favorability of socialism, but black Americans stand out in willingness to vote for a socialist president - 40% said they would.
45% of the 18-29 age group has a favorable view of socialism, more than any other group, but only about third would vote for socialist in presidential elections.
38% of people making $100,000+ per year favor socialism, more than lower-income bracket groups.
The biggest difference is between people's ideologies:
71% of liberals view socialism favorably, and 70% would vote for a socialist president.
Question: Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of socialism?
Question: Would you vote for a socialist president?
SOURCE: YouGov
A poll by Jacobin concluded that Democratic Socialism is now mainstream.
July 2-5, 2026; 577 U.S. Dems & Dem-Leaning
Question: Which one of these statements best describes your view, even if neither is exactly right?
Pew’s 2022 report also asked Democrats and Democratic leaners how they feel about political leaders who identify as democratic socialists. Overall, 33% said they like such leaders, 18% dislike them, and 47% neither like nor dislike them. Among liberal Democrats, 50% said they like democratic-socialist leaders; among conservative or moderate Democrats, 19% said the same. Pew also found younger Democrats were more favorable than older Democrats.
SOURCE: Pewresearch.org
According to the sources above, it seems that the groups supporting the DSA candidates and most in favor of socialism include:
Young People with Limited Life Experience
Democrats/Liberals
Highly Educated
Higher-Income Earners
Policies that Americans with a favorable view of socialism expect from socialists seem to depend on their definition of socialism. A number of people think that socialism is something Denmark does, but that is not its definition. We need a new term to describe free-market economies with high taxes and generous social programs, rather than confusing them with socialism.
Many nations in history bought into the promises of equality and a better life, only to end up suffering or dying under some form of a dictatorship. They thought they were voting for a Northern European-style government, but they ended up with something closer to the Stalinist Soviet Union. The same thing can happen here.
Unfortunately, Democratic Socialism is an oxymoron, because in practice, socialism can never be democratic.
Data for Progress reported in 2026 that Democratic voters and Democratic-leaning independents broadly support allowing DSA in the Democratic Party. In the same analysis, Data for Progress says its polling on swing voters found especially strong responses to populist economic policies often championed by progressive and DSA candidates, including raising taxes on the wealthy, Medicare for All, and restrictions on certain uses of AI in pricing or wages.
Pew’s 2019 report, “In Their Own Words: Behind Americans’ Views of Socialism and Capitalism,” asked respondents to explain their views in their own words. Among Americans with a positive view of socialism, Pew found the most common explanation was that socialism means equality, followed by references to government benefits, public services, and social safety-net programs. Pew reported that 31% of those with positive views of socialism cited equality, 20% cited government-provided benefits or services, and 10% cited a safety net or helping people in need.
Socialism supporters do not primarily define socialism as state ownership of industry; in Pew’s open-ended responses, they commonly associated it with equality, public benefits, and help for people in need.
The sloppy definitions of terms in public debate mean that when we disagree about socialism, we are not talking about the same things. Pew: "Critics of socialism point to Venezuela as an example of a country where it has failed. People with positive views of socialism cite countries such as Finland and Denmark as examples where it has succeeded."
But those countries are not socialist; they are homogeneous free-market economies with generous social programs supported by high taxes, and by U.S. taxpayers. Insufficient investment in defense by European countries frees funds for generous social programs, but it burdens U.S. taxpayers who are funding Europe's defense. The same applies to many medications developed in the U.S. U.S. taxpayers pay for the drug RND by paying higher prices than Europeans and the rest of the world. So, at least in part, the "socialist" European countries get to be "socialist" thanks to American taxpayers.
I think it is also worth noting that even back in 2019, the language around what is fair changed on the left from "equality" to "equity" and "equitable outcome." So, in essence, the conversation changed from equal opportunity as a goal to equal outcome. An equal outcome is a part of the communist panacea/propaganda. (From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.) Note that in the graphic below, the proponents of socialism refer to a more equitable society.
SOURCE: Pewresearch.org
Aug. 1-14, 2000; 7,647 adults
Pew’s 2022 report, “Modest Declines in Positive Views of ‘Socialism’ and ‘Capitalism’ in U.S.,” asked respondents whether certain phrases describe socialism. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents with a positive impression of socialism, 71% said the phrase “makes sure everyone’s basic needs, such as food, health care, and housing, are met” describes socialism extremely or very well.
SOURCE: Pewresearch.org
In the same 2022 Pew report, among Democrats with a positive impression of socialism, 48% said socialism is described extremely or very well by the phrase “gives all people an equal opportunity to be successful.” By comparison, only 14% of Democrats with a negative impression of socialism said that phrase describes socialism at least very well.
SOURCE: Pewresearch.org
September 4-12, 2018
Gallup’s analysis, “The Meaning of ‘Socialism’ to Americans Today,” reported that Americans define socialism in varied ways. Gallup found that Republicans were more likely to define socialism as government control or ownership, while Democrats were more likely to associate it with government provision of services and benefits. (news.gallup.com)
Gallup’s 2019 report, “Four in 10 Americans Embrace Some Form of Socialism,” similarly summarized Gallup trend data showing that Americans’ definitions had shifted.
When asked to explain their understanding of the term "socialism," 17% of Americans define it as government ownership of the means of production, half the number who defined it this way in 1949 when Gallup first asked about Americans' views of the term. Americans today are most likely to define socialism as connoting equality for everyone, while others understand the term as meaning the provision of benefits and social services, a modified form of communism, or a conception of socialism as people being social and getting along with one another. About a quarter of Americans were unable to answer.
SOURCE: gallup.com
THe best answer I can come up with for what socialism supporters appear to want from socialist candidates or officials, based on the primary polling above, is:
Basic needs met - education, health care, housing, food...
Pew found 71% of Democrats with positive views of socialism say this describes socialism extremely/very well.
(pewresearch.org)
Greater equality
Pew’s 2019 open-ended responses found equality was the most common positive association with socialism.
(pewresearch.org)
Government-provided benefits and services
Pew (2019) and Gallup both found that positive views of socialism often connect to public benefits/services.
(pewresearch.org, gallup.com)
A stronger safety net/help for people in need
Pew 2019 found that positive responses to socialism often cited the safety net or helping people in need.
(pewresearch.org)
Equal opportunity to succeed
Pew 2022 found 48% of Democrats with positive views of socialism say socialism gives all people equal opportunity extremely/very well.
(pewresearch.org)
Democratic-socialist representation, especially among liberal and younger Democrats
Pew found 50% of liberal Democrats and 37% of Democrats under 50 like democratic-socialist leaders.
(pewresearch.org)