Socialist Wave Builds as Sawant and Chakrabarti, Buoyed By Mamdani’s Win in NYC, Work On Long-Shot Congressional Bids

Two of the most recognizable figures in American socialist politics are betting that the anti-establishment energy coursing through Democratic primaries can propel them to Congress, even as they face steep odds against entrenched incumbents in safe blue districts.

Former Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant and progressive strategist Saikat Chakrabarti have both launched congressional campaigns that represent significant tests of whether socialist candidates can break through in federal races, building on local victories and behind-the-scenes influence to seek direct power in Washington.

Sawant’s Independent Gambit in Washington

Sawant, who gained national attention during her decade on the Seattle City Council, officially entered the race for Washington’s 9th Congressional District in June 2025, setting up a David-versus-Goliath battle against longtime Democratic incumbent Adam Smith in the 2026 election.

The move represents a strategic shift for Sawant, who left Socialist Alternative in 2024 to form her own Revolutionary Workers party before launching her independent congressional bid. According to the Northwest Asian Weekly, she is positioning herself as a voice for working-class Americans disillusioned with both major political parties.

Her campaign platform reads like a progressive wish list: a $25 minimum wage, universal health care, and an immediate halt to U.S. military aid to Israel. Sawant is leveraging her Seattle track record, where she helped secure what she describes as “the nation’s highest minimum wage for a major city ($20.76/hour), the Amazon Tax for affordable housing, and landmark renters’ rights laws.”

The Washington State Standard reports that Sawant’s “working-class, antiwar, anti-genocide” agenda reflects her attempt to capitalize on growing progressive frustration with Democratic foreign policy positions, particularly regarding Israel-Palestine.

Chakrabarti’s Pelosi Challenge

Perhaps even more audacious is Chakrabarti’s February 2025 announcement that he would challenge Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi for her San Francisco congressional seat. The former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and co-founder of Justice Democrats is running on the slogan “Forty years in Congress is enough. New leaders for a new world.”

Chakrabarti’s campaign launch drew significant crowds, with The San Francisco Standard reporting attendees comparing him favorably to Pelosi and expressing enthusiasm for change. In an interview with Jacobin magazine, Chakrabarti outlined his vision for “an ambitious program to transform the US economy and reverse class dealignment.”

The challenge represents a full-circle moment for Chakrabarti, who helped engineer some of the most successful progressive primary challenges of recent years through Justice Democrats, including Ocasio-Cortez’s stunning 2018 upset of longtime Democratic leader Joe Crowley.

These campaigns will serve as crucial tests of whether the socialist label, once political poison in American elections, can translate into federal electoral success.

The Mamdani Factor

While New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani’s recent victory in the New York City mayoral Democratic primary, has energized progressive activists nationwide. Mamdani’s rise from relative obscurity to Democratic nominee for mayor of America’s largest city has been noted for its potential implications for the Democratic Party nationally.

His victory contributes to what observers describe as a broader wave of young Democrats challenging incumbents in safe blue districts, though the direct impact on Sawant’s and Chakrabarti’s congressional campaigns remains unclear based on available reporting.

Both socialist candidates face formidable obstacles. Smith has represented Washington’s 9th District since 1997 and serves as the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, giving him significant institutional advantages and donor networks. Pelosi, despite stepping back from leadership, remains one of the most powerful figures in Democratic politics with unparalleled fundraising capabilities and deep Bay Area roots.

The campaigns also highlight the ongoing tension within progressive politics between working within the Democratic Party structure and mounting independent challenges. While Chakrabarti is running as a Democrat, Sawant’s independent bid represents a more confrontational approach to the party establishment.

These campaigns will serve as crucial tests of whether the socialist label, once political poison in American elections, can translate into federal electoral success. Both candidates bring significant organizing experience and media attention to their races, but they must prove they can build coalitions beyond their activist bases.

The outcomes may also influence the broader trajectory of the Democratic Party’s left wing, particularly regarding foreign policy positions and economic messaging that resonates with working-class voters increasingly skeptical of traditional partisan appeals.

As both campaigns gear up for what promise to be expensive and closely watched races, they represent perhaps the most significant socialist challenges to Democratic incumbents in Congress since the modern progressive movement began making inroads in federal elections.

The 2026 congressional elections are still more than a year away, but these early campaign launches signal that establishment Democrats should expect continued challenges from their left flank, regardless of the party’s overall electoral fortunes.