EXCLUSIVE: Socialist group recruiting in Central Arkansas as AOC rejoins DSA
The Democratic Socialists of America is actively recruiting new members in Central Arkansas, distributing literature in Little Rock urging Arkansans to join the socialist organization as the DSA gains new momentum nationally.
A DSA recruiting handout obtained by the Washington Reporter in Little Rock declares, “LET’S FIGHT OLIGARCHY TOGETHER. JOIN DSA.”
The literature directs potential recruits to the website of the Central Arkansas Democratic Socialists of America and includes the chapter’s logo alongside photographs of activists.
The Central Arkansas chapter openly describes itself as part of the “largest socialist organization in the United States” and urges visitors to become members. Its website says the “current system is not working” and that “people power is the solution.”
The recruiting push comes as the DSA is experiencing significant growth nationally. The organization announced in July that it had reached an all-time high of 120,000 members, which it said made it the largest socialist organization in American history.
The Central Arkansas chapter has also been active politically. Last year, it organized a protest outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Little Rock called “End ICE terror,” according to Little Rock Public Radio. Protesters objected to the Trump administration’s expansion of immigration enforcement.
The Arkansas recruiting effort also comes just as one of the country’s most prominent progressive politicians, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.), formally rejoined the DSA.
The organization confirmed this week that Ocasio-Cortez renewed her membership in August after her original one-year membership, which began in 2018, lapsed in 2019. The development comes amid speculation about a possible Ocasio-Cortez presidential campaign in 2028 and discussion within the DSA about whether the organization could ultimately support her.
The DSA’s growing prominence could also become an issue in Arkansas’ U.S. Senate race.
Democratic Senate nominee Hallie Shoffner previously donated to Ocasio-Cortez, a contribution Republicans have already highlighted in attacks portraying Shoffner as too liberal for Arkansas. The Republican Party of Arkansas circulated the contribution last year, and Breitbart also reported that Shoffner had made donations to Ocasio-Cortez and other prominent national Democrats before launching her Senate campaign.
Shoffner is challenging Republican Sen. Tom Cotton in November.
The political fight comes as democratic socialists seek to expand their influence well beyond their traditional strongholds. The DSA says it now has chapters in all 50 states, while its national website explicitly calls for organizing against what it describes as the “evils of capitalism.”
The group’s ambitions are increasingly electoral as well. DSA activists gathered in Chicago this summer following a string of victories by DSA-backed candidates and openly discussed the possibility of supporting Ocasio-Cortez for president in 2028.
Now, its organizers are looking for recruits in Arkansas too.
