DSA's Socialist Wave Hits Wisconsin

What started out quiet and harmless is quickly growing loud and powerful

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are expanding their footprint, both here in Wisconsin and across the nation. What started as a small, quiet fringe movement has ballooned into a powerful force within the Democratic Party, mainly by pushing policies that prioritize government control over personal sovereignty, economic freedom, or human innovation. This year, membership within the DSA reached over 100,000 members nationwide, and state-based local chapters (such as the ones in Milwaukee and Madison) are flourishing. Democratic socialism isn't just knocking at Wisconsin’s door—it's already here, threatening the principles that have built strong communities and thriving economies.

Since Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, DSA’s influence has exploded from a small grassroots movement into arguably the largest socialist group in America. They’ve been fueling Democratic victories since. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s upset victory in 2018 was widely fueled by her affiliation with the DSA, together seeking to champion policies such as the Green New Deal, expanded Medicare, and very aggressive wealth redistribution: it worked. More recently, their unabashed support of NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani led to another victory. Mamdani, running on promises of rent freezes, free childcare, and tax hikes on the wealthy—has emboldened the movement, with DSA leaders hailing it as a "powerful way forward" for Democrats. Now, they’re gearing up for the 2016 midterms and have over 100 state officials they’re seeking to get elected.

Wisconsin is becoming a DSA battleground as well. State Rep. Francesca Hong, a self-identified democratic socialist and member of the Wisconsin Assembly's Socialist Caucus, announced her 2026 gubernatorial bid last September. Hong is promising to be a wild card candidate to her supporters, and is running on a campaign centered on “the working class,” universal child care, paid leave, lower health care costs, improving wages for in-home health care workers, and more funding for public schools. She's already secured endorsements from Milwaukee DSA, Madison DSA, and the Wisconsin Electoral Socialists, signaling a coordinated push to elevate socialism to statewide office.

In Wisconsin, where the economy relies on manufacturing, agriculture, and small businesses, this agenda spells trouble. Hong's vision of "public power owned by the people" could mean higher energy costs through government monopolies, while her support for billionaire-targeted taxes ignores how such policies drive investment away—witness our state's ongoing struggles with property taxes already hitting a median of $3,792. Voters here are rightly concerned about taxes and energy bills, as the recent Marquette poll shows, yet DSA pushes for expansions like a $20-an-hour minimum wage that could crush job creators. This isn't progress. It's a recipe for stagnation, echoing failed socialist experiments that prioritize ideology over results. DSA's core mission—to have "working people run both the economy and society democratically" —translates to policies that stifle innovation and burden taxpayers. Their push for a strong labor movement often means forced unionization and anti-business regulations.

The stakes couldn't be higher. As DSA prepares for a busy election season in 2026, Wisconsinites and Americans must reject this encroachment. True prosperity comes from free markets, personal responsibility, and limited government—not centralized control. By exposing the Democratic Socialists of America’s overreach and championing free-market principles, we can safeguard our freedoms and build a better future. The socialist wave is rising, but with vigilance, we can turn it back.