The groups pulling young voters left and right

The Young Democratic Socialists of America has seen a massive surge over the past year, growing its membership by more than 50 percent and starting more than 50 new chapters, according to figures viewed by Playbook. The organization says it now has more than 3,000 members across 160 chapters, the most in its 50-year history.

The growth of the national DSA's youth and student branch reflects an intensifying national spotlight for democratic socialism after a string of Democratic primary wins for candidates who align with the group from New York to Colorado. And it follows a tense season of campus organizing by pro-Palestinian students pushing their schools to divest from Israel amid its war with Hamas over Gaza, which current and former YDSA leaders told Playbook had been their entry point into the group.

It also mirrors the massive expansion of Turning Point USA, the conservative group popular on college campuses founded by the late Charlie Kirk. The group saw its popularity take off after his killing on Sept. 10 last year. Organizers have said TPUSA had about 900 college chapters and 1,200 high school chapters before Kirk's death and was inundated with nearly 40,000 new chapter requests in the week after he was shot while speaking to students on the campus of Utah Valley University. TPUSA did not respond to a request for updated chapter and membership numbers.

"YDSA is growing because we have proven ourselves as a real force on campus that can put students and working people in the driver's seat and demonstrate and enact real power on the campus," said Mae Bracelin, the organization's newly elected co-chair.

Sara Almosawi, the former YDSA co-chair, told Playbook that part of the surge of chapters came "in response to TPUSA," which she argued was engaging in activities "that were not representative of young people" on issues like abortion rights and support for Israel.

But that's where the groups' connection ends, said current co-chair James Hernández. "There's no competing where they don't compare," Hernández said. "If you look at any YDSA chapter on any campus, from the strongest to even newer ones, there's a working-class base of students there that are organizing actively for a better world."

TPUSA also has a massive staff infrastructure and brought in more than $115 million in fiscal 2025, according to tax filings. TPUSA did not respond to a request for comment. YDSA is student-run and funded completely by DSA, which reported about $6.3 million in revenue in 2024. A representative for YDSA declined to comment when asked about its annual budget.

While Turning Point states that its aim is to equip its followers to "rise up against the radical left," YDSA's focus so far has centered on divestment from Israel, student worker labor organizing and pushing for "sanctuary campuses," which involves both blocking ICE from college campuses and pushing schools to end corporate sponsorships that benefit the agency. Its ultimate goal is to "build power at the campus to fight for a transfiguration of what our university system looks like in this country," Bracelin said.

But the burst of growth and the rise of socialist candidates across the country raise the prospects that the group could face off against Turning Point for sway over a bloc of youth voters that both parties will be eager to turn out in 2028.

VP JD Vance cleared the field of potential Republican presidential candidates with a swell of support in a straw poll taken at Turning Point's AmericaFest in December last year, claiming 84 percent backing — "the most support in the history of our poll," TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet said at the time.

Who might the socialist standard bearer be? Though the organization hasn't endorsed any potential 2028 candidates, both of YDSA's current co-chairs told Playbook they thought Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) would be a strong contender.

Good Thursday afternoon. This is Irie Sentner. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line at isentner@politico.com.

7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. BREAKING: "Federal Prosecutors Charge ICE Agent With Lying About Minnesota Shooting," by NYT's Mitch Smith and Ernesto Londoño: "A federal grand jury has indicted an ICE officer on charges of making false statements about the nonfatal shooting of a man during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minnesota last winter, according to a person familiar with the case who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information. The charges against the officer, Christian Castro of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, marked a rare instance of President Trump's Justice Department accusing a federal agent of criminal wrongdoing at work."

2. HARRIS SPEAKS: Kamala Harris is giving red-state Democrats more cover to keep her away from their campaigns, after POLITICO reported that some red-and-purple-state Democrats were actively distancing themselves, per POLITICO's Alec Hernández. "Bottom line: We need to win," Harris said in a phone interview today with MS NOW. "I have run locally. I've run for statewide office, and obviously nationally, and these candidates know what they need to do to win," Harris said. "So, I support them in doing whatever they need to do to win."

3. HEADING HOME: House Republican leaders are canceling the final two weeks of the preelection House session, sending members home from Sept. 17 at the latest all the way until mid-November, POLITICO's Meredith Lee Hill and colleagues report. Leaders indicated that they would call members back if the Senate moves forward with a party-line budget reconciliation package, though that's not anticipated. The House is expected to reconvene for one additional week of business after next week's Labor Day break.

4. A MOVE FOR BABYDOG?: Less than two years into his Senate term, Republican Jim Justice is seriously considering a bid to return to the West Virginia governor's mansion, POLITICO's Aaron Pellish reports. Justice is "75 percent likely to" launch a campaign against his successor, GOP Gov. Patrick Morrisey, said a person who spoke directly with Justice about his deliberations. Spokespeople for Justice and Morrisey didn't respond to requests for comment.

5. FOR PETE'S SAKE: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is planning to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington on Sept. 15, POLITICO's Stefanie Bolzen and Paul McLeary scoop. The meeting will take place as part of Pistorius' trip to the U.S. for a rollout of F-35 warplanes purchased by Germany. The talks are a significant reversal for Hegseth, who rebuffed a visit from Pistorius earlier this year amid tensions over Iran and Ukraine.

6. BLACK OUT: Billionaire investor Leon Black declined to attend a scheduled interview today with the House Oversight Committee about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and instead filed a lawsuit against the panel, POLITICO's Chris Marquette reports. House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) told reporters he didn't plan to "hold him in contempt right now" but would take time to consult the panel's other members and legal team to determine next steps. California Rep. Robert Garcia, the panel's ranking Democrat, told reporters he would make sure Black is held in contempt in the next Congress if he becomes chair, should Comer decline to proceed.

7. THE SPACE BETWEEN: Four U.S. space companies have pulled out of French President Emmanuel Macron's international space summit in Paris next week, POLITICO's Giorgio Leali reports, after the Trump administration pressured firms to skip the event. Elon Musk's SpaceX, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, rocket maker Stoke Space and Starcloud, a startup trying to launch data centers in space, notified French officials today they were "canceling their participation."

TALK OF THE TOWN

IN MEMORIAM — "Gloria Steinem, trailblazing feminist organizer, dies at 92," by POLITICO's David Cohen: "A founder of the National Women's Political Caucus in 1971, Steinem was a dynamic leader and mentor for scores of activists. For decades, Steinem was an oft-quoted voice for women's rights, writing, speaking and eagerly seeking converts to the cause one-on-one. By launching Ms. magazine, she helped to chronicle the movement as it grew — and also made it possible for women to tell their stories."

MEDIAWATCH — Maria Bartiromo is out at Fox News and Fox Business. "We thank Maria for her work over the last 12 ½ years and wish her all the best on her next chapter," the company said in a statement today — though it's unclear what is next for the longtime anchor. "Bartiromo's last 'Mornings with Maria' aired Thursday morning on Fox Business Network, and the show will be retitled 'Mornings with Fox Business' and employ a rotation of anchors," per Variety's Brian Steinberg. Jason Chaffetz will host Bartiromo's "Sunday Morning Futures" show this week, with a new host TBD.

HOLE IN ONE? — A federal judge this afternoon will seek additional information from the Trump administration about its planned redesign of the historic East Potomac Golf Links, which golfers and a preservation group have sued to prevent. More from Fox 5 DC's Melanie Alnwick

FENCED IN — The National Capital Planning Commission this afternoon is considering a proposed fence around Lafayette Park, as well as an underground security screening center for White House visitors, AP's Bill Barrow reports.

ENGAGED — Jonathan Kott, SVP of government affairs for Versant Media, proposed to Katey McCutcheon, an SVP at Precision Strategies, in Queen Mary's Rose Garden in London on Monday. The couple met over a decade ago working for former Sen. Joe Manchin but didn't start dating until last year. Pic ... Another pic

WEDDINGS — Paige Rusher, managing director at Seven Letter, and David Clarke, law student at Georgetown University and a Senate HELP Committee alum, got married on Aug. 21 in Tuscany, Italy. They met working in Sen. Richard Burr's (R-N.C.) office in 2019. Pic, via Pura Vida Studio … Another pic … One more pic

— Alayna Treene, a White House correspondent for CNN, and Fred X. Hoban, a professional poker player, recently got married in Stresa, Italy, on Lake Maggiore. The couple met through mutual friends. SPOTTED: Kristen Holmes, Haley Britzky, Stef Kight and Caitlin Owens. Pic, via Independent Pictures … Another pic

TRANSITIONS — Caroline Motley is now chief of staff at CAP Action. She recently graduated from a master's program at GW and is a Kamala Harris alum. … Amanda Shafer Berman has joined Jenner & Block as a partner in Washington. She previously was at Crowell & Moring and is a DOJ alum. …

… Emile C. Thompson is joining Danovo Energy Solutions as SVP of regulatory affairs. He was with the D.C. Public Service Commission is a former D.C. assistant U.S. attorney. … Laurie Saroff has joined the Jewish Electorate Institute as executive adviser, its senior-most staff position. Saroff is a Lou Correa, Janice Hahn, Jane Harman and Barbara Boxer alum and was a lobbyist at USC.

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