Recent elections and new polling data show a surprising trend: while voters in cities like New York and Seattle have already elected openly socialist leaders, Utah’s Democratic base may be next in line.
A brand-new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll suggests that Utah Democrats are more receptive to socialist ideas than Democrats nationwide — and this shift may reshape the state’s political future.
Rising Favorability Toward Socialism in Utah
Utah Democrats More Open Than National Average
According to the poll, 51% of Utah Democrats view socialism favorably, slightly more than the 48% of Democrats nationwide. Across multiple survey questions, Utah Democrats consistently expressed greater willingness to consider socialist solutions.
Higher Approval for Zohran Mamdani
Nationally, 54% of Democrats approve of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s agenda. But in Utah, approval jumps to 65%, indicating strong enthusiasm for the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist of America member.
Democratic Socialism Gains Even More Support
While 61% of Democrats across the country hold favorable views of democratic socialism, 70% of Utah Democrats feel the same way.
Understanding Socialism and Democratic Socialism
What These Systems Represent
Socialism is defined as an economic system where the government controls major industries and resources to promote equal wealth distribution.
Democratic socialism, popularized by leaders like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, seeks to push these changes gradually through democratic elections and policy reforms.
Examples Across the World
Some Nordic nations — including Finland and Sweden — have adopted limited democratic socialist frameworks. However, historical attempts at full socialism in countries like Cuba, China, the Soviet Union, and Venezuela resulted in economic decline and authoritarian rule.
Why Utah’s Youth Is Driving This Shift
Large Rally Shows Growing Energy
In April, a joint rally by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez drew up to 20,000 people in Salt Lake City. Experts say Utah’s younger population, combined with rising living costs, makes the state fertile ground for left-leaning ideas.
Affordability Concerns Fuel Support
Jason Perry of the University of Utah notes that issues like housing costs, rent, groceries, and transportation deeply resonate with young Utahns. Many feel locked out of traditional financial stability, making socialist proposals appealing.
Could Utah Elect a Socialist?
Redrawn District Creates a Democratic Opportunity
A district judge recently rejected the state’s original congressional map, establishing a new Democratic-leaning district in northern Salt Lake with a 20-point Democratic advantage.
This shift has energized local progressive groups who believe a socialist candidate may finally be electable.
Progressive Organizers See an Opening
Local activists argue that the district is now left-leaning enough that even moderate Democrats like former Rep. Ben McAdams may be “too conservative” to win a primary.
State Party Leadership Weighs In
Utah Democratic Party chair Brian King acknowledges it would still be difficult to elect a socialist statewide, but says it’s positive that Democrats are embracing policy-focused candidates like Mamdani.
Young voters, he adds, are less concerned with labels and more focused on meeting basic needs — from tuition costs to groceries.
How Utahns View Capitalism vs. Socialism
Younger Voters Less Enthusiastic About Socialism
The poll shows Utah’s Gen Z residents are not as left-leaning as their peers nationwide:
- Mamdani approval among Gen Z: 29% in Utah vs. 39% nationally
- Support for democratic socialism: 34% in Utah vs. 44% nationally
- Support for socialism overall: 37% in Utah vs. 42% nationally
Yet, Utah’s young adults show greater support for capitalism, with 42% viewing it favorably, compared to 29% of Gen Z nationwide.
Economic Pressure Shapes Opinions
Despite Utah’s strong economy and repeated ranking as the best state in the U.S., rising housing prices have made affordability a statewide crisis. Median home prices in Utah now rank ninth-highest nationwide.
This financial stress has made Mamdani’s messaging on rent, transportation, and living costs particularly effective among young voters.
Poll Numbers: A National and Local Snapshot
- Democratic socialism (national): 34% favorable
- Socialism (national): 31% favorable
- Capitalism (national): 49% favorable
- Republican support for socialism: nearly zero
- Republican support for capitalism: 59%
- Independent support for capitalism: 47%
- Democratic support for capitalism: 39%
Polling information:
- National sample: 1,745 voters, Nov. 7–12, margin ±2%
- Utah sample: 607 voters, Nov. 8–12, margin ±4%
Why Socialism Resonates With Younger Americans
Experts Point to Education and Economics
Christopher Talgo of The Heartland Institute argues that poor civics education and serious economic challenges push young people toward more extreme ideological positions.
A Heartland poll shows strong support for government-run grocery stores and rent freezes, though Talgo warns these policies could worsen economic issues.
A Shifting Political Landscape
Lane Kenworthy, author of Social Democratic America, says the term “democratic socialist” is no longer taboo in U.S. politics. Candidates like Mamdani and Seattle’s Mayor-elect Katie Wilson represent a growing normalization of the ideology.
Utah may be known as a conservative state, but shifting economic pressures, a youthful population, and growing frustration with affordability are pushing many Democrats — especially young ones — toward socialist ideas.
With a newly redrawn congressional district favoring Democrats and high enthusiasm for figures like Zohran Mamdani, the possibility of a socialist candidate gaining traction in Utah is more realistic than ever.
Whether these trends will reshape Utah’s political identity remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the conversation around socialism is no longer happening on the margins — it is entering the political mainstream.
