LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Socialism, and its ties to the Democratic Party, has some people talking following the primary elections. However, a recent survey shows that fewer than half of voters say they know what the term “Democratic Socialist” means.
A recent Napolitan News survey found 47% of voters claim to know what a Democratic Socialist is. Of that group, about 1 in 5 associated the term with being a “strong” or “progressive” Democrat. The survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted Aug. 10–11 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
Broadly defined, socialism is an economic and political system in which major industries, resources or means of production are publicly or collectively owned or controlled.
GOP candidates: Socialism doesn’t work
Republican candidates in Michigan aren’t shying away from warning voters about Democratic socialism.
GOP gubernatorial candidate John James discussed socialism on national television Sunday, referring to the upcoming Michigan election as “ground zero for this republic” on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
“We need to make sure that we stop socialism and that we save the state of Michigan, because if we don’t do it here, it’s going to go to the rest of the country,” James told host Margaret Brennan.
Earlier this month, James’ running mate, state Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township), echoed similar thoughts.
“Michiganders face a clear choice between socialism and a bold new direction rooted in freedom, opportunity, and prosperity,” DeBoyer said.
Michael Bouchard Jr., the Republican nominee running to fill James’ open seat in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, also addressed socialism following his primary victory.
“Socialism doesn’t work. It’s been proven time and time again,” Bouchard said.
Bouchard faces Democratic nominee Christina Hines in November.
Michigan’s DSA-backed candidates
Michigan voters will see several candidates on the November ballot who have received backing from the Democratic Socialists of America.
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman elected to Congress, is among the most prominent. Tlaib, who represents Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, has received endorsements from both the national DSA and its Metro Detroit chapter.
In Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, Donavan McKinney defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in the Democratic primary with DSA backing. The Metro Detroit DSA has described McKinney as a democratic socialist. McKinney faces Republican T.P. Nykoriak in November.
In Michigan House races, Chris Gilmer-Hill defeated incumbent Democratic Rep. Helena Scott in the primary with DSA backing. State Rep. Dylan Wegela is another DSA-backed incumbent and faces Republican Chris Dobis in November.
Other Democratic candidates have connections to DSA or its members without necessarily identifying as democratic socialists. U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed does not identify as a democratic socialist, although DSA members supported his campaign. William Lawrence, the Democratic nominee challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett in the 7th Congressional District, is a former DSA member who says he allowed his membership to lapse in July 2026.
A look ahead to November
Scott Rasmussen, founder of the Napolitan Institute and president of RMG Research, says the success of DSA-backed candidates in Democratic primaries could benefit Republicans as the general election approaches.
Polling found 44% of voters consider Democratic Socialists a threat to America’s founding ideals of freedom, equality and self-governance. Seven in 10 Republicans, 71%, say they are a threat to those ideals, while 6 in 10 Democrats, 61%, say they are not.
