DSA-backed candidates poised to bring a more combative left into Congress as House Democrats regain majority
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Several Democratic Socialists of America-aligned newcomers are expected to win House seats in 2026, and many of them are already refusing to give Hakeem Jeffries a blank check.
House Democrats are expected to retake the majority in the 2026 midterm elections, and with it comes a new wave of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-backed newcomers who could push the caucus toward a more assertive, working-class agenda.
In New York, Darializa Avila Chevalier is projected to win the 13th district after defeating incumbent Adriano Espaillat. Chevalier, who grew up in Florida and attended Columbia University, has said she will not back Hakeem Jeffries for speaker without "commitments" on progressive policies such as Medicare for All.
Claire Valdez, a state assembly member, is projected to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in the 7th district. Valdez, who describes herself as a "dual citizen of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Nation and the United States," has not confirmed her stance on Jeffries, noting she will "see how the midterms shake out."
Donavan McKinney of Michigan’s 13th district, who unseated Rep. Shri Thanedar in the primary, told Jacobin Magazine that his priorities include Medicare for All, universal childcare and removing corporate money from elections.
In Colorado, Melat Kiros is set to replace long-time Rep. Diana DeGette in the 1st district. Kiros, an Ethiopian-born attorney, has faced criticism for her anti-Israel statements and also indicated she will not pledge support for Jeffries.
Pennsylvania’s 3rd district will be represented by Chris Rabb, who advocates for dismantling the military-industrial complex, universal basic income and guaranteed housing, among other reforms.
Former New York City comptroller Brad Lander, who left the DSA over its response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, is running for the 10th district and has signaled an inclination to support Jeffries, setting him apart from many of the movement’s other candidates.
These incoming members represent a more left-leaning faction within the Democratic caucus, and their positions on speaker Jeffries and policy priorities could help determine whether the party moves toward meaningful change or settles for moderation in the coming Congress.