Barton Featured in NY Times Article on Liabilities Surrounding the Democratic Socialists of America

August 4, 2026

The New York Times

Richard Barton

Policy Studies Undergraduate Program

Public Administration & International Affairs Department

Government

Political Parties

U.S. Elections

United States

The New York Times

Richard Barton

The Democratic Socialists of America (D.S.A.) are energizing Democratic voters but could pose challenges for the party among independents and Republicans, with research suggesting socialist and progressive candidates can face electoral disadvantages in swing districts.

However, political scientists disagree over how significant that effect is, with some arguing progressive candidates can boost turnout and that broader national factors matter far more in determining election outcomes.

Richard Barton, assistant teaching professor of public administration and international affairs, compared 2024 election results for nine D.S.A. and Justice Democrats (J.D.) to less ideological colleagues running in similar districts based on the Partisan Voting Index (the partisan leanings of a district or state) and geography.

He found that “five of the nine D.S.A./J.D. Democrats underperform compared to other Dems in the most similar districts, and four perform more or less on par with Dems in similar districts.”

If D.S.A. and Justice Democrats underperform in their own races, Barton writes, “then we might reasonably infer that, in a nationalized and polarized environment, they likely cause indirect electoral harm to other Democrats in purple and red districts.”

Barton acknowledges that “there is some support for the claim that ideologues can more effectively mobilize the base and activate new voters, but they are also more effective at mobilizing opposition.”

Read more in the New York Times article, “‘The Easiest Explanation for This Phenomenon Is That Ideology Really Matters.’”