The DSA is making inroads in cities and offices high-profile and under-the-radar.Democratic socialists–the socialists–are gaining control of city halls across America — and Southern California is becoming a center of the movement.
With socialist or socialist-aligned mayors elected in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, D.C., the movement is also making gains in smaller cities.
In California Jane Kim, who was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has won the election to become the state’s next Insurance Commissioner. Campaigning on a shamelessly leftist platform, Kim has threatened to radically overhaul the state’s home insurance crisis by establishing a public “Disaster Insurance for All” program,–which would make the taxpayers be the insurer, put the state even deeper in debt, and not solve the insurance crisis.
In Los Angeles, Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Karen Bass. But the movement’s influence extends well beyond L.A. City Hall.
In Burbank, Democratic Socialists of America-backed Mike Van Gorder and Nolan Southerland are leading races for City Council. Their victories would give socialists a majority of the five-member council.
In West Hollywood, DSA-backed Stephen Post has declared victory in his City Council race.
And in Orange County, DSA-supported candidates Ben Vazquez, Sandra De Anda and Isuri Ramos are leading their Santa Ana City Council contests.
The California concentration is striking.
According to Ballotpedia, DSA endorsed 69 candidates for local offices nationwide in November’s election.
Thirty-seven of them — more than half — were running in California.
The movement is expanding its presence in local government, where elected officials make decisions about housing, policing, taxes, and city spending. If you ever thought, you know, I need to pay more attention to who my elected reps are, now is the time. The DSA agenda, which you can read by clicking here is frightening and un-American. How did we get here?
Here is a vote scoreboard as of 11/9, 4pm:
City | Candidate | Office | Status
Los Angeles | Nithya Raman | Mayor | Projected winner
Burbank | Mike Van Gorder | City Council | 2nd place — winning position
Burbank | Nolan Southerland | City Council | 3rd place — winning position
West Hollywood | Stephen Post | City Council | Projected winner
Santa Ana | Benjamin Vazquez | City Council, Ward 2 | Projected winner — 73.0%
Santa Ana | Sandra De Anda | City Council, Ward 4 | Projected winner — 55.3%
Santa Ana | Isuri Ramos | City Council, Ward 6 | Projected winner — 56.7%
Unofficial results as of November 9, 2026. DSA affiliations require independent verification.
AI helped prepare this story
