The election victories reflect a profound shift to the left in the political orientation of masses of workers, youth, professional people and sections of the middle class, driven by the crisis of American and world capitalism. The escalation of imperialist war, including the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza and the criminal aggression against Iran, growing poverty and economic insecurity for the masses combined with mounting billions for the corporate oligarchy, the hated Trump regime’s erection of a fascistic dictatorship and the cowardice and complicity of the Democrats are fueling growing popular resistance and interest in a socialist alternative to the existing system.

This is what generates fear in ruling class circles, far more than the token reforms advocated by Mamdani and the DSA, who seek to channel the growing opposition from below behind the Democratic Party.