Blab Politics
One-Third of Democrats Favor Democratic Socialist Leaders, Pew Survey Finds
A new Pew Research Center survey released Tuesday reveals a surprising shift within the Democratic Party: roughly one‑third of Democrats and Democratic‑leaning independents view leaders who identify as democratic socialists favorably. 32 % of respondents in the 8,512‑person panel said they like democratic‑socialist leaders, 56 % were neutral, and only 11 % disliked them.
The data arrive amid a broader pattern of growing support for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The organization, the country’s largest democratic‑socialist group, now has more than 100,000 members and has backed candidates such as Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Rashida Tlaib. Pew’s findings suggest that the DSA’s message is resonating with a sizable slice of the Democratic electorate.
Markstein, national political director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said the survey confirms a perceived “remaking” of the Democratic Party. “Only 11 % of Democrats say they dislike candidates who call themselves ‘democratic socialists,’ which is why Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries aren’t lifting a finger to stop the takeover,” he told reporters. Markstein also warned that the party’s leadership is not drawing a line against anti‑Israel or antisemitic rhetoric he associates with the DSA.
Political‑science expert Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, offered a different perspective. He noted that the 32 % who view democratic‑socialist leaders favorably likely represents a larger share of the primary electorate, because primary voters tend to be more politically engaged. “Those who like candidates who identify as democratic socialists likely comprise a larger share of that electorate than the 32 % they are of the broader general election Democratic coalition,” Olsen said.
The survey also exposed sharp ideological gaps. Among liberal Democrats, 52 % said they like democratic‑socialist leaders, 43 % were neutral, and only 4 % were negative. In contrast, conservative and moderate Democrats reported 17 % positive, 15 % negative, and 66 % neutral.
Age mattered too. Democrats under 30 were the most receptive, with 39 % viewing democratic‑socialist leaders favorably, compared with 35 % of those aged 30‑49 and 26 % of those 50 and older.
Looking beyond party lines, 38 % of the broader American public said they dislike leaders who identify as democratic socialists, 17 % liked them, and 43 % were neutral.
Political‑science lecturer Dan Schnur, who teaches at Pepperdine, USC, and UC Berkeley, framed the results within a long‑standing split in the Democratic Party. “For decades, the party has been split between working‑class beer drinkers and more economically successful wine drinkers,” he said. Schnur added that the wine‑drinking cohort is more likely to embrace democratic socialism than those who would benefit more directly from redistributive economic policy.
Pew’s study is part of a series tracking attitudes toward socialism and capitalism. An earlier September 2022 Pew survey found modest declines in positive views of socialism, while a June 2026 survey reported that 18 % of Democrats disliked democratic‑socialist leaders.
The data underscore that the Democratic base is not monolithic. While a significant portion of Democrats and Democratic‑leaning independents are open to democratic‑socialist leaders, a majority remain neutral, and a sizable minority are opposed. The split is most pronounced along ideological lines and age, with younger, more liberal voters showing greater approval.
The implications are still unfolding. The DSA’s growing influence has already produced primary victories, such as the 2026 Colorado 1st‑District win of democratic socialist Melat Kiros over incumbent Diana DeGette. Whether the party’s establishment will respond to the survey’s findings remains to be seen.
In short, Pew’s latest research shows that about one‑third of Democrats and Democratic‑leaning independents view democratic‑socialist leaders favorably, a figure higher among younger and more liberal voters. The broader American public is less supportive, with 38 % expressing dislike. The findings highlight an ongoing ideological division within the Democratic Party that may shape future primary contests and policy debates.
The data arrive amid a broader pattern of growing support for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The organization, the country’s largest democratic‑socialist group, now has more than 100,000 members and has backed candidates such as Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Rashida Tlaib. Pew’s findings suggest that the DSA’s message is resonating with a sizable slice of the Democratic electorate.
Markstein, national political director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said the survey confirms a perceived “remaking” of the Democratic Party. “Only 11 % of Democrats say they dislike candidates who call themselves ‘democratic socialists,’ which is why Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries aren’t lifting a finger to stop the takeover,” he told reporters. Markstein also warned that the party’s leadership is not drawing a line against anti‑Israel or antisemitic rhetoric he associates with the DSA.
Political‑science expert Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, offered a different perspective. He noted that the 32 % who view democratic‑socialist leaders favorably likely represents a larger share of the primary electorate, because primary voters tend to be more politically engaged. “Those who like candidates who identify as democratic socialists likely comprise a larger share of that electorate than the 32 % they are of the broader general election Democratic coalition,” Olsen said.
The survey also exposed sharp ideological gaps. Among liberal Democrats, 52 % said they like democratic‑socialist leaders, 43 % were neutral, and only 4 % were negative. In contrast, conservative and moderate Democrats reported 17 % positive, 15 % negative, and 66 % neutral.
Age mattered too. Democrats under 30 were the most receptive, with 39 % viewing democratic‑socialist leaders favorably, compared with 35 % of those aged 30‑49 and 26 % of those 50 and older.
Looking beyond party lines, 38 % of the broader American public said they dislike leaders who identify as democratic socialists, 17 % liked them, and 43 % were neutral.
Political‑science lecturer Dan Schnur, who teaches at Pepperdine, USC, and UC Berkeley, framed the results within a long‑standing split in the Democratic Party. “For decades, the party has been split between working‑class beer drinkers and more economically successful wine drinkers,” he said. Schnur added that the wine‑drinking cohort is more likely to embrace democratic socialism than those who would benefit more directly from redistributive economic policy.
Pew’s study is part of a series tracking attitudes toward socialism and capitalism. An earlier September 2022 Pew survey found modest declines in positive views of socialism, while a June 2026 survey reported that 18 % of Democrats disliked democratic‑socialist leaders.
The data underscore that the Democratic base is not monolithic. While a significant portion of Democrats and Democratic‑leaning independents are open to democratic‑socialist leaders, a majority remain neutral, and a sizable minority are opposed. The split is most pronounced along ideological lines and age, with younger, more liberal voters showing greater approval.
The implications are still unfolding. The DSA’s growing influence has already produced primary victories, such as the 2026 Colorado 1st‑District win of democratic socialist Melat Kiros over incumbent Diana DeGette. Whether the party’s establishment will respond to the survey’s findings remains to be seen.
In short, Pew’s latest research shows that about one‑third of Democrats and Democratic‑leaning independents view democratic‑socialist leaders favorably, a figure higher among younger and more liberal voters. The broader American public is less supportive, with 38 % expressing dislike. The findings highlight an ongoing ideological division within the Democratic Party that may shape future primary contests and policy debates.
