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Chris Van Hollen Says DSA Has Place in Democratic Party
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Senator Chris Van Hollen said Sunday that Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) supporters have a place in the Democratic Party, inserting himself into a growing debate over the party's direction following a string of victories by progressive and DSA-aligned candidates in Democratic primaries.
The Maryland Democrat made the remarks during an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press , where he was asked about criticism of DSA and whether democratic socialists belong in the party.
"Yes, they do, as part of the debate," Van Hollen said. He also said he would not reject an endorsement from certain individuals affiliated with DSA, though he added that he is "certainly not seeking the endorsement from the DSA."
The comments come at a pivotal moment for Democrats. Recent primary contests have exposed growing tensions between the party's establishment and an ascendant left wing energized by candidates backed by DSA and progressive organizations.
The debate has intensified following a series of high-profile victories by left-leaning candidates, including Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and several DSA-affiliated House candidates. At the same time, moderates have warned that some positions associated with democratic socialism could hurt Democrats in competitive general- election races.
Newsweek reached out to the DSA and Van Hollen for comment on Sunday.
Van Hollen's comments came a week after House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries distanced himself from the democratic socialist movement , saying on NBC's Meet the Press that he does not support "the DSA agenda as has been articulated by the DSA itself."
Jeffries also rejected Medicare for All and distanced himself from calls to abolish ICE, highlighting the party's divide between its progressive and moderate wings.
That contrast highlights an increasingly visible divide within Democratic politics. While leading figures such as Jeffries have attempted to reassure moderate and swing voters, others argue that the party needs to welcome a wider ideological spectrum as it searches for a winning message after its 2024 losses.
Newsweek reached out to Jeffries on Sunday.
Van Hollen argued that Democrats should not shy away from ideological disagreements and said party leaders risk missing the mood of voters if they refuse to engage in broader discussions about the party's future.
"I think that those in the Democratic Party who are afraid of a healthy debate are missing the point," he said.
Van Hollen said some DSA positions go too far for him. Asked about the organization's platform proposal to abolish the Senate, he responded: "Yes, of course they do, for me."
Still, he said members of the party should be willing to debate those ideas rather than exclude people advancing them.
Many Democrats have sought to distance themselves from the DSA as Republicans increasingly portray the broader Democratic Party as moving sharply left.
The debate has intensified as polling has painted a complicated picture of democratic socialism in America.
Recent surveys have found that several policies associated with the progressive movement, including Medicare for All and higher taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations, enjoy majority support among many voters.
At the same time, the DSA brand itself remains significantly less popular .
A recent Marquette Law School poll found DSA had a net favorability rating of minus 30, with 24 percent viewing the organization favorably and 54 percent viewing it unfavorably. A recent Ipsos/Washington Post survey found a majority of Americans would not consider voting for a democratic socialist candidate.
That gap has become central to Democratic arguments over electability. Supporters of the movement argue that voters often support individual policies associated with democratic socialism even if they view the label negatively. Critics contend that Republicans will weaponize the DSA brand in battleground races.
The interview also fueled speculation about Van Hollen's political ambitions.
Asked directly about a possible White House run in 2028, the senator acknowledged he has been "kicking the tires" and "testing the waters." He noted visits to New Hampshire and Iowa, two states traditionally associated with presidential politics.
Van Hollen stopped short of announcing a candidacy but said Democrats need to develop a clearer vision for the future rather than focusing exclusively on opposition to President Donald Trump.
"I think Democrats need to be very clear not just what we're against, but what we're for," he said.
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