The recent sweeping victories by Democratic Socialists in New York have political observers of both parties paying attention, although for different reasons. The Democratic Party appears to continue to abandon most of its traditionally reliable voting blocs. But while Democratic Socialists blather on about helping working people, there is one specific group of working people who may get hit the hardest by the new crop of socialist candidates, and it will determine where their support ultimately ends up.
🚨 House Democrats’ have ‘rising anxiety’ after Democratic Socialists recent wins
“Are we going to let them take over the party?” pic.twitter.com/MHsLHOrq5Q
— DSA Watch (@DSA_Watch) June 27, 2026
The leaders of one of New York City’s most prominent labor union have spoken out about the Democratic Socialist wins in the Big Apple. Robert “Bobby” Bartels, Jr., is the business manager for Steamfitters Local 638 in New York City and represents steamfitters, pipefitters, HVAC technicians, welders, and industrial and mechanical service technicians. He called this new crop of “Democrats” what a lot of other people are calling them, saying, “I think they’re communists, and I don’t think they have the benefit of the working class — the real working class, the taxpayers’ — support,”
READ MORE: In New York, the Democrat Establishment Dug Their Own Graves
Local 638 has existed for 150 years, and like unions all over the nation, has traditionally supported Democratic candidates, but in 2024, it went rogue and endorsed President Donald Trump. Bartels went on to say,
“They do have the people’s support that want everything for free and want everything handed to them without working for it, and I think the Democratic Party is going way far to the left. And as a matter of fact, the more building trades people you speak to, the more they’re going away from the Democratic Party.”
Bartels also said he feels that Democrats are “narcissists,” and is frustrated when the leftist policies they support fail, but then just double down and go further left instead of correcting course. But there is one major issue where Democratic Socialists are losing union members in a big way: their support of open border policies drives down wages for members. Bartels stated bluntly,
“That we don’t like. You know why? Because they’re bringing the illegal immigrants in here to steal the Americans’ jobs and lower the rates. They’re working to tear down the people that are working and building everything.”
Democratic socialists like to stress that their movement is populist and working class. But their adherents are disproportionately rich and credentialed.https://t.co/o9z5r8nvZs
— reason (@reason) June 27, 2026
ALSO READ: Dem Senator’s Reply to ‘Where Socialism Has Worked’ Says It All, As Party Chaos Continues
Brian Kearney is the president of Steamfitters Local 638. He says that much of the Democratic Socialists of America’s (DSA) agenda doesn’t have much to do with labor unions, especially the building trades. Kearney also went on to talk about New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s campaign promise of affordable housing. In May, he laid out his plan to build 200,000 new homes in New York City. Of that promise, Kearney stated,
“He’s (Mamdani) mentioned union labor, union labor, union labor quite a few times throughout his campaign. Affordable housing was a big political issue in New York City. He said it was going to be built, and it was going to be built by union labor, but nothing’s been done yet, you know what I mean?”
The Democratic Socialist wave is not just taking place in New York. There are Democratic Socialist candidates on the ballot all over the nation in 2026. Labor unions that are not happy about Democratic Socialist candidates and are looking elsewhere may be the wave that follows.
While we sit and bitch and act surprised about the Democratic Socialists taking office in NYC keep in mind that 2 confirmed members of the DSA are members of the BOA. Board President Megan Green and Alisha Sonnier. Keep voting for trash, STL. It’s going so well. pic.twitter.com/rhGJRkmRJk
— St. Louis Patriot (@stlouispatriot) June 27, 2026
Editor’s Note: New York City is now facing the consequences of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s socialist takeover.
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