JUNE 19, 2026
This is the weekly newsletter of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (MDC DSA), which is produced by local members of the chapter’s Publications Working Group. The Weekly Update publishes every Friday at 9am. Ready to fight the Trumpocalypse? Join DSA, fight to win with a real alternative!
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CONTENTS
UP FRONT
Socialism sweep in DC after Tuesday’s primaries
FINISH THE JOB — fresh off DC’s progressive surge, DMV area socialists planning surge into Maryland in final outreach for endorsed candidates
Metro DC DSA Red Rabbits training — Sunday, June 21
Socialism sweep in DC after Tuesday’s primaries
Full round-by-round results will be available by June 21, 2026, and will be indexed on the DC Board of Elections website.
Round counts and ballots are still being processed, and totals below are preliminary numbers based on the vote totals accessible by the DC BOE as of the evening of June 18. Final results are expected Sunday.
In the DC Mayor’s race, Janeese Lewis George pulled 55k first round votes — 53% of voters — outflanking Kenyan McDuffie (38k, 36%), who conceded to Lewis George on Thursday. Barring a jarring vote swing in remaining ballots (unlikely), Lewis George is likely to clear the 50% victory threshold on the first round of votes. And Metro DC DSA gets a shout-out from Semafor (June 17): “DC Democratic primary voters look likely to nominate Janeese Lewis George for mayor, a victory for the city’s left wing and its chapter of the Democratic Socialists for America.”
In Ward 1, former Metro DC DSA chair Aparna Raj pulled 6,288 first round votes (47%). Her nearest competitor, Miguel Trindade Deramo, stands at 2,765 (21%). Raj’s strong first round performance is the result of a unified left-labor coalition that was able to marshal a canvassing army that carried out a mass outreach campaign across the ward. By end of the campaign, the Aparnistas were able to knock over 94k doors and maintain completely staffed forces at day-of voting centers. If trends hold, Aparna is likely to surmount the 50% needed to clear a majority victory.
Citywide elections across the city show a Left sweep. In the Democratic primary for the At-Large Council seat, DC Shadow Representative Oye Owolewa received 34% of first round votes — outpacing his closest competitor by 19%. In the special election for the DC Council’s independent seat, progressive independent Elissa Silverman secured 55% of the first round vote, overcoming an opposition funded by Opportunity DC, gambling companies, landlords, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, and public school privateers.
A final electoral battle was staged within the Democratic Party itself. The Free DC slate, an alliance of progressives, statehood activists, socialists, and mad-as-hell locals were able to secure a 22-seat majority in the DC Democratic Party. The slate of activists — which is empowered to select the temporary replacement to outgoing CM Robert White, who breezily won the position of Congressional Delegate with 63% of the vote and an early concession from Brooke Pinto — have vowed to recenter the battle for tenants rights, workers rights, progressive reform, and pursuit of statehood as the prerogative of the Party.
If all leads hold, the people of DC will have demonstrated clear demand for the construction of a new workers’ government in Washington. A people’s government that will fight and organize for statehood without sacrificing the needs and dreams of the working people who remain in the American Empire’s last remaining mainland colony.
For the chapter’s response to the results, see here; for a very detailed breakdown of the current results, see here. The Board of Elections has reported that remaining ballots will be posted daily, with a final count likely for Sunday … smoke em if ya got em.
FINISH THE JOB — fresh off DC’s progressive surge, DMV area socialists planning surge into Maryland in final outreach for endorsed candidates
MDC DSA has six endorsed candidates running in Maryland: three in Montgomery County and three in Prince George’s County. Early voting has already started and election day is June 23, so the chapter’s electoral operation is going all in on getting out the vote. There are plenty of opportunities to get out there and speak with community members about what democratic socialist representation can mean in county councils and the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates.
Gabe Acevero (Maryland House of Delegates, District 39): Hosting canvasses from June 20 through 22; RSVP here.
Josie Caballero (MoCo Council At-Large): Hosting canvasses from June 20 through 23; RSVP here.
Zola Shaw (MoCo Council District 3): Hosting canvasses on June 20 and 21; RSVP here for June 20 and here for June 21.
Imara Crooms (Cadre Candidate for PG County Council District 9): Hosting canvasses from June 19 through 22; RSVP here for June 19, here for June 20, here for 6/21 (joint canvass with Raaheela), and here for 6/22.
Metro DC DSA Red Rabbits training — Sunday, June 21
Red Rabbits provide essential support at direct actions: marshaling, deescalating, and liaising with the police when necessary. This Sunday at Friends Meeting of Washington (2111 Decatur Pl NW), Red Rabbits alongside the Abolition, Bodily Autonomy, Community Defense, Internationalism, and Labor Working Groups, are hosting a training on direct action security roles, core principals, and best practices. No prior experience or knowledge is necessary; everyone attending will leave the training prepared to keep their fellow activists safe while out in the streets this summer and beyond. RSVP for the training here.
BRIEFS
Washington Socialist Summer 2026 submission deadline TONIGHT
Fresh off primary Election Day in DC, the Washington Socialist is ready to publish the in-depth analysis, reporting, theory, etc. of comrades across the DMV — not just in chapter electoral campaigns but across the span of the broader Left. Recently published work includes an uncovering of the suppressed history of Black socialism, a thorough analysis of Zionist media attacks in DC and beyond, a meditation on the meaning of “anti-war,” a timely exploration of a Don Quixote statue that stands in front of the Kennedy Center, and much more. Send your submissions, questions, ideas to washingtonsocialist@mdcdsa.org.
Deadline to run for Publications Board extended — apply by THIS Sunday, June 21
The Publications Working Group of Metro DC DSA, best known for authoring this Weekly Update every week and the Washington Socialist every quarter, has their annual board elections this summer with self-nominations due this Sunday, June 14. Any eligible member of the Publications Working Group — anyone who has written or edited for the Weekly Update, Washington Socialist, or attended a working group meeting — is eligible to run. There are five seats on the board: Secretary, Weekly Update Lead, Washington Socialist Managing Editor, Dispatch Lead, and At-Large.
Self-nominations close on Sunday night, with ballots sent to all eligible Publications Working Group members soon afterwards. Voting will close on July 1 with the new board sworn in for the July board meeting. Anyone interested in applying can do so here. Reach out to washingtonsocialist@mdcdsa.org or on the #publications channel on Slack with any questions.
Battle to protect rent stabilization in Takoma Park continues — hearing on Wednesday, June 26
Last week, tenants and rent stabilization supporters packed the Takoma Park City Council to speak out in support of protecting the city’s strong rent stabilization law after the city council commissioned a “study” of its rent stabilization program. Now, the city council will consider what potential areas of change they want the consulting firm to “study” next. Rent stabilization supporters plan to turn out again to speak out for rent stabilization. RSVP here.
Socialists plan to spread the word about public power following advocates’ electoral success — July 11 at 1pm
Kenyan McDuffie has conceded the DC mayoral race to Janeese Lewis George, the candidate whose energy platform explicitly aims to win affordable utilities for all. Members of We Power, the chapter’s campaign for a democratically controlled, publicly owned utility in DC, will build on that momentum on July 11 at 1pm. Join comrades to put up posters around the Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro station area, spreading the word on the evils of Pepco and the public power alternative — and tapping into the working class’s latent distrust of their current utilities. All materials (+ training) will be provided — just dress for the weather and bring friends. RSVP here.
INFO ACCESS
Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America, uniting the DMV, is one of a number of big urban DSA chapters — and many more compact but potent ones within the country’s Blue AND Red corridors — that are building a true political Left across the US. All this as Trump, flailing, seeks a nationalist rush with brain-dead warmaking, and ill-trained ICE paramilitary irregulars layer white-nationalist terrorism atop our everyday capitalist yoke. This is the terrain on which we fight back, gain allies, and, more often every day, win.
- Your first step? Join DSA and fight to build socialism. We’re the alternative that works for people, not profiteers and their captive politicians. Still thinking about it? Be sure to get this Update every Friday in your inbox, member or not.
- Check out the breadth and scope of our Metro DC chapter — DMV branches, working groups, campaigns, current activities, and enduring values — right here. Get the full but concise picture at “Why You Should Join DSA/New Member Orientation” in a virtual version Wednesday, July 15.
- How is our activism grounded? See the rich archive of our acclaimed Socialist Night School. Join a socialist reading group. Read the Washington Socialist, published since the 1970s, which has published its full spring 2026 issue and has opened the call for submissions for Summer 2026. Watch the latest MDC Dispatch video chronicle on YouTube for more recent mode of coverage. As critical primaries approach in DC and Maryland, tell us what your community is hearing and doing at our tip line.
- Already a member? Join our Slack for real-time info on working group and campaign events, strategy/tactic exchange, and inspiration. Email slack@mdcdsa.org with your most recent DSA dues receipt to get access.
DSA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Saturday, June 20
9am | GOTV for Gabe Acevero
9am | Canvass for Josie Caballero
11am – noon | MDC DSA Story Hour
12 – 8pm | DSA/ATU 689 canvass for Imara Crooms
1pm | Canvass for Izola Shaw
Sunday, June 21
9am | GOTV for Gabe Acevero
9am | Canvass for Josie Caballero
10am – 1pm | June Queer Section Social
12 – 8pm | Joint GOTV Canvass for PG DSA Candidates Raaheela Ahmed and Imara Crooms
1pm | Canvass for Izola Shaw
7 – 9pm | NoVA Primary Elections RedBug Research wrap-up meeting
7 – 8pm | Loudon Info Meeting
7pm | MDC DSA Internationalism Working Group Monthly Meeting
Monday, June 22
9am | GOTV for Gabe Acevero
10am | Josie Caballero Canvass
7 – 8pm | DC/MoCo Abolition Working Group Biweekly Meeting
Tuesday, June 23
5pm | Election Day at the polls for Josie Caballero
5pm | Election Day at the polls for Zola Shaw
8 – 10pm | Political Engagement Committee Biweekly Meeting
Wednesday, June 24
7pm | Repro Justice Campaign Meeting
7:30 – 8:30pm | Community Buildings All-Hands Meeting
7:30pm | Support Rent Stabilization at the Takoma Park City Council
Friday, June 26
2 – 5pm | D&D 101 Social
6 – 10pm | Final Fridays MDC DSA Happy Hour
DMV LEFT BULLETIN
Pride with the Socialists on June 20 | PSL-DC and DC Liberation Center
Stop by the tent between 2 and 5pm for snacks, music, stickers, screen printing and more. Details here.
Salt of the Sea Film Screening on June 21 | People’s Theater and Gaza Champions
A screening of Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir’s Salt of This Sea. The film follows Palestinian-American Soraya on a journey to her ancestral homeland to reclaim her family’s land and money stolen during the 1948 Nakba. From 12pm to 3 pm, screening begins at 12:15pm with a discussion afterwards. More info here.
Barry Farm Screening and ’90s Rooftop Party on June 21 | Empower DC
Join for the closing event of the Barry Farm Exhibit’s MLK Show from 2 to 4:30pm. There will be a film screening of Barry Farm: Community, Land, and Justice and a rooftop block party with performances from Doug E. Fresh, DJ Quicksilva, and DJ Flexx. More info and RSVP here.
DC Spanish Club for Socialists
Spanish Club for Socialists is a group that meets up to practice speaking Spanish and is hosting three events next week.
- Monday, June 22 at 6pm, the Spanish Club will be watching Transit Havana at the DC Liberation Center with discussion in Spanish and English afterwards: RSVP here.
- Tuesday, June 23 at 7:30pm, the Spanish Club will meet in Dupont Circle at Patchwork: RSVP here.
- Wednesday, June 24 at 7pm, the Spanish Club will meet online via Zoom: RSVP here.
Freedomfest Celebration and Canvass on June 27 | Rising Organizers
Rising Organizers is having a concert with Long Live GoGo on Saturday, June 27 at 2pm. They also plan to engage visitors of the Great American State Fair in canvassing conversations. More info and sign up here.
Community Paint Day on June 27 | Festival Center
The Festival Center has partnered with local artist/organizer Shani Shih to create an exterior mural on the building! The community is coming together for mural painting, chalk, music and snacks from 2 to 5pm. More info and RSVP here.
Network 2026 All Network Convening on June 27 | Beloved Community Incubator
Join other BCI Network members in person to connect our cooperatives and build worker power in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. From 10am to 4:30pm, this is a free event. More info and register here.
ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES
ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVES are articles and opinion pieces of interest to DMV leftists but not, generally, appearing in local media. They should have links without paywalls. Readers are invited to submit candidates at our tip line.
Big-city socialism gains in the (crucial) attention economy
Janeese Lewis George declares victory in D.C.’s mayoral primary
D.C. is getting its first democratic socialist mayor, with Janeese Lewis George winning decisively in the race against her more moderate council colleague Kenyan McDuffie. Lewis George said her campaign knocked on 200,000 doors and voters across all eight wards, regardless of ideology, were concerned about affordable, safe communities. “These aren’t values attributed to one party,” she said. “This idea that no matter where you live in this city, you actually have access to the American dream — and you can’t have access to that dream if everything is unaffordable and the system is working against you.” The 51st
Janeese Lewis George wins the Democratic primary for mayor of Washington, DC
Janeese Lewis George, who pledged to aggressively stand up to federal intervention into Washington, D.C.’s affairs, won Tuesday’s Democratic primary for mayor, setting up a potential showdown with the Trump administration over its moves to challenge the city’s limited autonomy (bonus: read Metro DC DSA’s statement on Trump’s threats here!) Lewis George, 38 and a third generation Washingtonian, has vowed to overrule an executive order by the city’s police chief permitting local law enforcement to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Lewis George argued the order “hurt the trust of our community.” AP News
The Democratic Socialists of America are leaving it all on the field in NYC
The city’s congressional primaries present big risks for the ascendant group — and also big rewards. If the DSA’s candidates, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, prevail, it will prove the ascendent organization can capitalize on the momentum generated by Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s once-improbable 2025 election win. Victories for Valdez and Avila Chevalier would expand socialist influence on Capitol Hill as the Democratic Party continues to grapple with its ideological identity after getting shellacked in the 2024 elections. And it would likely embolden the DSA to expand its political footprint — accelerating its evolution from insurgent movement to political institution. POLITICO
The Real Democratic Debate Begins in Los Angeles
Karen Bass and Nithya Raman share many values, but their runoff campaign will force voters to confront competing visions for the future of a deeply Democratic city. Socialism in the biggest cities faces another challenge, with less contrast. The LA Progressive
And more…
The entwined history of capitalism and race in the Americas and beyond.
The debate over the relationship between race and capitalism, anti-colonialism and national liberation, has been ongoing ever since
the left was first called the left. Within socialist and progressive movements, the matter regularly emerges in late-night bull sessions and in white papers and policy programs. Is it possible to develop a unifying and universal class politics that focuses on emancipating all of the oppressed around the world that does not ignore or marginalize in some way the specific concerns of race, national oppression, and sex? Should class politics and economic programs be the priority, or should we focus on other injustices? The Nation
Trump goes postal
The U.S. Postal Service has proposed a rule to block delivery of mail ballots in states that have not complied with an executive order President Trump signed in March directing the USPS to halt election mail unless states hand over voter lists. One part of Trump’s March order directed the Postal Service to issue just such a rule. Several pending lawsuits contend that both orders amount to an illegal executive branch seizure of election administration that the Constitution reserves to the states. About 30 percent of all ballots are now cast by mail. The Postal Service is a potential choke point. The American Prospect
Three now-geezer presidents and the bumpy, damaging polarization their tenures wrought
So there they are: three American presidents [Clinton/Bush43/Trump] turning 80 this summer, old men by any measure. They have starkly different styles, temperaments and goals for their country. But they are united in some important ways. All in their own way and in their time were uncommonly talented politicians. It is in the realm of politics that the legacy is rancid. This was a generation whose politics were defined by a single question, “Which side are you on?” The argument over the answer has kept the country preoccupied for going on six decades. This generation’s penchant for a moralizing brand of politics — in which opponents are not just wrong-headed but in fundamental ways wrong-hearted, even wicked — began on college campuses in the 1960s in arguments over Vietnam and whether one looked sympathetically or contemptuously at the blossoming counterculture. POLITICO Opinion
The flame of thought, the magnificence of art, the wonder of discovery, and the audacity of invention all belong to revolutionary periods when humanity, tired of the chains of its restrictions, shatters them, and stops inebriated to breathe the breeze of a vaster and freer horizon.
–Virgilia D’Andrea
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