“The socialist left is on the rise, especially in areas where black and Latin American residents are being torn from their lives,” said Representative Hakeem Jeffries, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, which represents parts of Brooklyn and Queens and may become the first Black House Speaker. “To the extent that the success of the socialist left is partly related to the gentrification of neighborhoods, it remains to be seen how this will affect a city-wide race.”
How left activists and organizations exercise their influence is unclear. If all the groups affiliated with the progressive movement were to join forces behind a candidate, they could have a significant impact on the race.
So far they have not merged.
“It’s a big question if people do that,” said Jonathan Westin, executive director of New York Communities for Change. “I think the candidate who can cobble together all these groups is the candidate who will win.”
The New York Democratic Socialists of America have approved six candidates for the city council, a move that promises significant organizational support. But confirmation has yet to be made for the mayor’s race and some members of the organization are not expecting it.
“If we had a mayoral candidate who came from the DSA, that would have been one thing,” said Susan Kang, DSA member and professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “We try to be very strategic in how we use our work.”
Another aggravating factor is the popularity of Scott Stringer, the city administrator and leading mayoral candidate, among some prominent younger progressive lawmakers. In 2018, Mr. Stringer supported a DSA employee, Julia Salazar, in her race for the Senate for incumbent Martin Dilan. Ms. Salazar won her race, and Mr. Stringer won her mayor recognition, along with several other high profile recommendations from progressives.
Mr. Stringer has also won the support of a number of key unions, most recently the Communications Workers of America, an early supporter of Mayor Bill de Blasio.