Miranda Lopez, 31, has embraced the label of Democratic Socialist—and she won her primary for Arizona’s Legislative District 21 over incumbent Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton.
Because the district is highly favored for Democrats, Lopez is likely to win the general election and join the Arizona Legislature.
The issues Lopez campaigned on included making housing more affordable, getting rid of Arizona’s universal school voucher system, freezing public university tuition, and investing in alternative energy.
Other self-identified Democratic Socialists who have taken office include New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Bobby Nichols, who won a Tempe City Council seat.
I asked what you thought about the Democratic Socialism movement, and here’s what you said:
💬 “As a young person who is about to start their career, the Democratic Party establishment is not providing me with any ounce of hope for a bright future. Democratic Socialism is flawed and, at times, unrealistic within the constraints of our current government structures, but that can be said of any political ideology. We’ve entered a new political era, one devoid of the realities of human and ecological conditions, and the same old tools aren’t going to cut it any longer. If I and others choose to vote for people who identify as Democratic Socialists because they speak more stauchly to our current material needs, then we have a right to do so. The Democratic Party establishment needs to wake up.” — Andrew B.
💬 “I think the Democrat socialists need to be educated on what they are proposing. Please live a year in the environment you think is better than the US and then try to convince people that they are better off than we are. Socialism always ends in communism which supports dictatorships. It only works until you run out of other people’s money.” — Kathryn F.
💬 “I’m all for it. The Democratic Party has failed its constituents in favor of big corporate interests.” — Cate D.
💬 “Ridiculous. I hope this is NOT the way AZ is going. I will have to rethink where I live.” — Kelly M.
💬 “I think it’s a terrible name and likely to lead to continued GOP control. Come up with a better name, or label. I vote straight Blue and am frightened by this trend.” — Barbara R.
💬 “What I think about Democratic socialism is that it is about time. We need to do something to stop the rising fascism and authoritarian governmental overtake that is happening with help from the Republican Party of the United States. Democratic socialism is not – repeat, NOT communism.” — Gretchen B.
💬 “One step away from communism. [Too] many men lost [their] lives fighting for freedom. Socialism/communism is NOT freedom. Guess we’re headed to another revolution in the US.” — Jeff E.
💬 “I agree with many of the Democratic Socialist platform issues, but take issue with their anti-zionist rhetoric which is inciting and increasing antisemitism and antisemitic acts. None of the DS candidates distinguish, for themselves or their followers, between being against the politics of Israel and the Jewish population here in the US or around the world.” — Susan C.
💬 “What does a Socialist form of government, culture, society have in common with the principles of a Democratic form of government? Countries with Socialist (also known as Communist) forms of government, such as China, Cuba, Russia, etc) do not have a Democratic form of government. Citizens in those countries do not have the freedoms, privileges, and rights that Americans do. America affords every individual opportunities to advance via individual determination. If the USA succumbs to a Socialist (Communist) form of government, then we will lose those opportunities. And, the USA will become strikingly similar, if not exactly like oppressive countries like China, Cuba, Russia, and other such regimes.” — Richard M.
💬 “I wish to respond to viewers remarks on Democrat Socialism. Four respondents you featured sound Centrist leaning. The remarks appear fearful toward Socialism—one says Socialism turns into Communism; the other uses an old rant of Go live in another country to learn lifestyle differences … that remark makes me shudder, as other nations really do offer superior lifestyles compared to the harms republican administrations have degraded us into. I am invigorated with Socialism. FDR rolled out opportunities of safety nets. Republicans have trampled the middle class as they abuse our tax dollars for their behalf. The frightening part for me, is how long it will take to repair their damages. Don’t be frighted by Socialism, it won’t become widespread although it offers benefits. Here & Now, Voters need to elect Democrats before fascism clobbers our voting rights into the dust.” — Lesley L.
💬 “The name Social Democrat evokes knee jerk negativity from people who don’t understand that Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other Social Democratic programs we have in America are hugely popular. Social Democrats want the government to step in where others won’t to provide programs that help people. In Europe Social Democrats have led successful governments for decades. Strong social democratic and labour parties in Europe are concentrated primarily in Northern, Western, and Southern Europe. Key power bases include Spain (PSOE), Germany (SPD), the Nordic countries like Denmark and Norway, the United Kingdom (Labour Party), and Portugal (PS), where these groups regularly lead or anchor major governing coalitions. These Europeans are proud to call themselves Social Democrats.” — Margaret V.
