The story of the year in American politics so far, after Donald Trump ‘s falling popularity, is the rise of the Democratic socialists. Their influence bears watching as the next generation tries to fulfill Bernie Sanders’s goal of taking over the Democratic Party.

Avowed Democratic Socialists of America candidate Janeese Lewis George won the Democratic nomination for mayor of Washington, D.C., last week, and it wasn’t close. The 38-year-old won 53.5%-35.9% over mainstream black Democrat Kenyan McDuffie, and she did better in some upscale white areas than in the city’s black neighborhoods.

This follows the pattern of 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani in New York City. In Los Angeles, DSA member Nithya Raman made the general election ballot against Mayor Karen Bass. DSA members on the LA City Council have put referenda on the November ballot to let noncitizens vote in city elections and give the council control of the police.

The DSA is also using its urban base to seek gains in Congress. “People often ask me what I think of the state of the Democratic Party,” Mr. Mamdani said at a rally for three House candidates in New York’s primary on Tuesday. “This slate here today is our answer.”

Mr. Mamdani’s picks include Darializa Avila Chevalier, a “proud member” of the DSA. She’s trying to defeat Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Ms. Chevalier’s platform is something else:

“Abolish ICE,” because “this agency exists to control our communities, not to keep us safe.” “Create a four-day 32-hour work week with no loss in pay,” plus “a universal basic income,” as well as a “federal jobs guarantee.” Free government childcare, free pre-K, and free college. Medicare for All, “including abortion.” Federal rent control via a 5% national cap on yearly increases for existing units managed by “large landlords.” She believes “all deportations are wrong,” because it is “double punishment” to “subject someone who has committed a crime to both a criminal system and then additionally to an immigration system.”

Another socialist backed by Mr. Mamdani is Claire Valdez, a member of the state Assembly running to replace retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez. Her agenda also includes “national rent control,” “a 4-day, 32-hour work week with no change in pay or benefits,” abolishing ICE, and passing Medicare for All. She’d also end “at will” employment for all workers, legalize strikes for federal employees, pass a Green New Deal, and put “a federal freeze on residential electricity bills.”

Mr. Mamdani is also behind former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is trying to unseat Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman. Mr. Lander used to be a DSA member but says he left after its celebratory response to the Hamas massacre of Israelis on Oct. 7. Yet he wants to pack the Supreme Court to 13 Justices, create a national wealth tax, abolish ICE and pass Medicare for All.

These races — and others across the country — reflect the potent organizing of the DSA and the leftwing march of young progressive voters. Their goal is to turn the Democratic Party even further left than it has moved since Bill Clinton. Win or lose on Tuesday, the DSA agenda is gaining among Democrats.

— Wall Street Journal