How DSA Captured Minneapolis: The Rise of Twin Cities DSA and the Battle for the Soul of the Minnesota Democrat

A Brief History of the DSA

The Democratic Socialists of America traces its roots to 1901 when supporters joined with Presidential candidate, Eugene V. Debs, to form the Socialist Party of America.  The evolution of the DSA:

• 1971, the New American Movement (NAM) emerged emphasizing community organizing, and feminist causes.  
• 1973, the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (DSOC) split from the Socialist Party of America to work with the Democrat Party and labor unions. 
• March of 1982, the DSOC and NAM joined forces at a Detroit convention to create the DSA. Michael Harrington was the ringleader and co-chair until his death in 1989.

Today, the DSA describes itself as “a political and activist organization, not a party,” boasting that it has over 100,000 members with chapters in all 50 states.  It maintains its radical leftist policy positions as follows: “the abolition of police and prisons and the release of all people ‘from involuntary confinement’; the total elimination of conventional energy sources such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas; the abolition of the U.S. Senate; and enfranchising non-citizens in U.S. elections. It advocates for the replacement of capitalism with a centrally planned economy in which most sectors are government-run and in which wealth is compulsorily redistributed through high levels of taxation, government distribution of goods and services, and reparations.”

The Democratic Socialists continue to wield influence over the Democrat Party, particularly in locales where progressive ideology reigns.

Minneapolis’ DSA Problem

Minneapolis, Minnesota has a DSA problem.  Minneapolis’ younger, diverse, highly educated urban population with strong progressive activism, universities, and labor presence is fertile ground for the growth of socialism.

Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign essentially jump-started the Twin Cities DSA (TCDSA) in Minneapolis.  When Sanders won the Minnesota Democrat caucuses in 2016 during the Presidential primary, membership in the Twin Cities DSA grew exponentially to the point that now, the leadership of the Minneapolis Democratic Farmer-Labor Party is littered with Twin Cities DSA influence.

The highly-motivated DSA members have built coalitions (at marker 4:20) around shared causes, like the “defund the police” movement, with left-leaning members of the Democrat party (called the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party in Minnesota [DFL]).

By 2021, three very young TCDSA radicals were elected to the City Council – Labor organizer Aisha Chugtai at 24, Jason Chavez at 26, and community organizer Robin Wonsley Worlobah at 30.  Wonsley won by only 19 votes.

These same Council members were endorsed for re-election in 2023 along with newcomers Soren Stevenson (W8), and 26-year-old Aurin Chowdhury.  All but Stevenson won.

In 2025, the Twin Cities DSA organized thousands of volunteers to campaign in Minneapolis for seven endorsed candidates that included: Muslim state senator Omar Fateh for mayor; and Robin Wonsley, Soren Stevenson, Jason Chavez, Aisha Chughtai and Aurin Chowdhury for City Council.  Fateh lost his bid for mayor.  The rest won their elections and currently occupy Minneapolis City Council seats.  Enough additional members join them in voting as a progressive bloc strong enough to pass local policies but not override mayoral vetoes.  This essentially gives TCDSA complete control over the Council.

The TCDSA is very small, with some 2,500 members in 2026, in a city of around 430,000.  How could such a small group take over a city council?  By taking over the DFL’s caucuses and endorsing process, they have been able to accomplish this feat.  Candidates who get a DFL endorsement typically win in Minneapolis.

The Radical Agenda of the TCDSA

A truncated synopsis of the TCDSA core policy pillars:

• “We will commit to decolonizing “Minnesota” after centuries of genocide. Territory held by settlers will be returned to First Nations.” [Editor’s Query – The process will start with government land and large private holdings but the pillar goes on to say, eventually, the rest of the land will be returned.  So everybody else has to leave?]
• “We will build an economy that serves the needs of the many by taxing the rich and putting workers in control of our livelihoods.” (With living wages and universal health care.)
• “We will build a democratic society and political system that guarantees the freedom and liberty of all peoples in Minnesota.” (By abolishing the state senate, queer liberation, and racial justice.)
• “We will halt the fascist and imperial war machine at home and abroad.” (By  abolishing ICE and freeing Palestine.)
• “We will provide safe and dignified housing for all.”  (With rent control and public housing.)
• “We will transition away from fossil fuels toward a green and sustainable future with clean air to breathe and clean water to drink for all.”  (By dismantling the racist, toxic highway system).
• “We will build a system of public safety that serves the needs of our communities and truly keeps us safe.”  (By organizing for a world without prisons and armed policing.)

Critics

Critics of the DSA say that the organization is primarily concerned with activism, not governing.

Life-long Democrat and DFL member, Marjorie Simon, “warns of what she describes as “creeping communism” and a systemic takeover of the party by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).”  She is so frustrated with the DFL for allowing such intervention by the DSA that she is threatening to sue the Party.  “If we don’t fight for the soul of this party now, there won’t be a party left to save,” insisted Simon recently.

As of April 2026, a new DFL organization is exposing the DSA-aligned candidates.  That organization is called The Humphrey Project, named for former Vice President and Minneapolis mayor Hubert Humphrey.  The group says it is “fighting for core DFL values,” and “the DSA runs candidates on our ticket with a very different platform. We think voters should see it.”

For example, Humphrey Democrats say they “support free markets, not central planning or crony capitalism,” while the DSA wants to “abolish capitalism and nationalize industry.”

Humphrey Democrats also want to “reform institutions through the Constitution” and “pass laws that help people today,” while the DSA wants to “rewrite or abolish the Constitution” and “wait for revolution rather than reform.”

Unfortunately, Minnesota DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom has denounced the Humphrey Project.

Another strong voice sounding alarm bells about the dangers of a socialist takeover in Minnesota is state Republican Representative Tom Murphy.  He says that Minnesota is at an ideological and economic tipping point.

“There is a reason that Naples, Florida, has received the nickname “Little Minnesota.” So many Minnesota “expats” have established residency there, that they’ve practically colonized the city. It’s hard to blame them, as DFL/DSA politicians have made it abundantly clear that they are not welcome here [in Minnesota].”

“The math is simple: If the wealthy continue to leave, our state becomes insolvent.”

Representative Murphy hangs on to hope.  There are “still far more of us regular Minnesotans than there are DSA radicals….  Republicans were able to win a tie in the Minnesota House, and that has been crucial for blocking a cascade of harmful tax bills proposed by the DFL/DSA.”  He encourages his constituents to keep fighting for Minnesota.

AUTHOR

Claudia Henneberry

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