DSA-Backed Candidates Win Democratic Primaries in Colorado and New York

Rep. Henry Cuellar said the Democratic Socialists of America is using the Democratic Party as a temporary vehicle to advance its own platform later. Fox News reported that Cuellar made the comments on "Saturday in America," arguing that DSA candidates conceal extreme positions behind softer appeals on affordability and housing to win Democratic primaries.

Cuellar rejected several DSA platform items, including restructuring the Supreme Court, abolishing ICE, eliminating the Senate, defunding police, maintaining open borders, and abolishing prisons. "As a Democrat, I reject what the DSA is doing. I read their platform, and it is radical," he said.

The Texas representative noted his own experience facing primary challenges from the group. Fox News reported that the DSA and Justice Democrats spent more than $20 million against him across two past primaries, which he won by emphasizing border security and support for oil and gas jobs. Cuellar pointed to recent election results as evidence of the trend.

In late June, DSA-backed candidate Melat Kiros defeated longtime Rep. Diana DeGette in Denver's heavily Democratic district in Colorado. In New York the same month, candidates backed by Democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani won primaries, including Darializa Avila Chevalier over Rep.

Adriano Espaillat and Brad Lander over Rep. Dan Goldman. Fox News Digital reached out to the DSA for comment on the statements.