52% of Democrats viewed socialism positively in a recent Fox News poll, while just 11% of Republicans did; a CBS survey this month showed a similar partisan split.
That rise has coincided with primary wins by DSA-backed or aligned candidates, including high-profile Senate victories this month in Michigan, Minnesota and Florida.
Progressive allies argue inflation and affordability pressures are pushing voters toward candidates promising structural change, while some political scientists say younger voters are also driving the shift.
Republicans are already using the leftward drift as a midterm attack line, betting socialist labels can help protect their congressional majorities despite a difficult political climate.