Resolution of Engagement With 2028 Presidential Election

Passed by membership: Oct 29, 2026

Whereas:

  • Rhode Island DSA is the only chapter nationwide with a clean break strategy from the capitalist political parties;

  • DSA Convention 2025 passed “R33: Unite Labor & the Left to Run a Socialist For President and Build the Party”;

  • DSA has become the largest socialist organization since the Socialist Party of America in the early 20th century, and now has significant experience endorsing and supporting candidates;

  • That momentum can and should culminate in “Building the Party” as aspired to by R33;

  • That momentum is instead being used to push the campaign of a single Democratic candidate for the head of the capitalist state and American empire;

  • DSA has failed to put forward a candidate who agrees to fight for the national DSA program. Instead, the majority of the national leadership has expressed an intention to campaign for a candidate who has rejected DSA’s program, was de-endorsed by DSA just two years ago, and has caused significant conflict in the socialist movement by propping up establishment Democrats;

  • The anticipated AOC presidential campaign will appeal to many demands important to the working class, and it is important to proceed in recognition of the capitalist Democratic Party’s past practice of absorbing and redirecting previous mass movements to divert and divide working class power.

Be it Resolved:

  • In accordance with our program and bylaws, RI DSA will abstain from endorsing any candidates who are running for President within the two capitalist parties. We will continue to focus our energy on building independent party infrastructure, a militant labor movement, and worker-led fights for demands such as housing.

  • Regarding relations with the anticipated AOC presidential campaign (or any other nationally endorsed campaign), Rhode Island DSA will support the positions of the campaign when it advances the interests of the working class, and stand in opposition to the campaign when its positions align with the capitalist class. Where such a campaign’s  platform overlaps with ours, we will use the opportunity to talk to workers about the need to organize a mass movement to win transformative policies like single-payer healthcare and publicly owned housing. We will continue to use our chapter’s unique position within DSA to advocate for a party of the working class.

  • The communications committee shall create a plan for such communications, including developing and evaluating capacity, a content schedule, templates, and example messaging.

  • The Executive Committee shall plan to facilitate any and all possible opportunities for engagement with National DSA throughout their engagement with chapters on the question of a 2028 Presidential Endorsement (such as the Member Input Questions). When the intention of such a survey by National DSA is to get all member input, this resolution should not serve as a method to suppress dissenting opinions from the position stated above.

Impact Statement: Resolution of Engagement With 2028 Presidential Election

Criteria

Expiration: This resolution would end at the conclusion of the 2028 presidential election.

Pass criteria: Consistent communication, based on the existing RI DSA program and bylaws, of the chapter’s support and/or critique, taken on a case-by-case basis, of positions and major developments in the Democratic candidacy for president in 2028.

Fail criteria:  Failure to create a communications plan around national endorsement of a 2028 presidential candidate. Failure to participate in any member input questions from national DSA on this topic.

Guidance

To be implemented or delegated by: Communications Committee and Political Education Committee will act in accordance with Chapter Bylaws Article VII, Section K - Chapter Statements

Plan: 

  • Ongoing: Creation of communications that respond to developments in the 2028 Democratic presidential campaign.

Anticipated labor: 

  • Drafting, editing, and approving communications for dissemination in various formats

    • Various

    • Communications Committee

    • Political Education Committee

  • Deliberation and chapter vote on major statements, including but not limited to, formal censure of a nationally endorsed DSA candidate

    • 20-30 minutes or longer as approved by membership

    • Varying frequency

    • General Body Meeting

Total Cost:
$0