Are you a candidate or organization with a ballot measure seeking endorsement from DSA Long Beach? This page is to help those aforementioned to learn more about the process and how to engage.
We are currently moving through our endorsement process for candidates and ballot measures for the 2026 November General Election. Deadline to submit an endorsement request is August 3, 2026.
If you are a candidate seeking office or you are looking to get DSA-LB behind a ballot measure, please fill out the Endorsement Application form linked below.
Fill out the Application
An endorsement by DSA-LB means that the Chapter will invest significant resources into a campaign including time, labor, strategic organizing, communications, and financial resources.
Because of this, our endorsements go through a rigorous and democratic process to determine the interest and investment of membership in any particular campaign. This strategic, member-driven process is meant to develop a more meaningful endorsement leading to more reliable campaign support.
*A local endorsement does not constitute a National DSA endorsement
Our priority is finding candidates who are part of the socialist movement locally who can be strong champions for working class politics. Candidates must promote a platform that sees the working class as agents of change in a mass, democratic politics that can upend the unequal distribution of power and resources inherent to capitalism through collective action and the pursuit of transformative, non-reformist reforms. "Non-reformist reforms" means political strategies that shift the balance of power, undermine unjust systems, and build grassroots organization, rather than strengthening or stabilizing the status quo. Candidates should understand that the role of a DSA candidate is as an organizer first and a legislator second.
The ‘DSA difference’ comes from being part of the movement. So the ideal candidates are also connected to our organization and/or organizing projects. This solidarity through active struggle alongside one another makes for a candidate we want to fight for!
Yes. A DSA endorsement is a two-way relationship to service the democratic socialist movement through a public office. This means that, at minimum, candidates seeking endorsement should be a member of our chapter, openly run as a democratic socialist, and be prepared for an ongoing relationship in the campaign as well as in office.
Campaigns should focus on issues that help change the organizing terrain or shift the balance of power such as expanding democracy, meaningfully protecting human rights, fighting for universal public goods, building worker and tenant power, or improving organizing conditions for those ends.
If an endorsement is not fitting for your candidacy or campaign, our Chapter also offers a Recommendation. Recommendation which in practice means the candidate or ballot initiative shall be allowed to advertise its “recommendation” by DSA Long Beach, but the Chapter will not devote significant resources to the campaign. Recommended campaigns will not get access to any Chapter lists or organizational resources. Recommended campaigns will prominently appear as “Recommended” in our voter guide.
Because we want to be able to make the most impact, it is advisable to reach out to us in the early stages of your campaign. We are more likely to endorse if we can be active participants in the work rather than slapping our name on to an established campaign.
what does the process look like?
This process takes about 6-10 weeks from initial contact.
phase 1
Research
Candidate/issue is identified and the Electoral Politics
Committee (EPC) begins researching candidate background
and viability.
phase 2 (1-2 weeks)
Contact and Review
Initial interview with candidate/issue stakeholders; endorsement
questionnaire provided and reviewed after submission
phase 3 (1 month)
Recommendations to the Chapter
EPC decide on endorsement recommendations to the general
Chapter body. If recommendation is made, questionnaire
responses will be sent to the Chapter for review prior to an
endorsement forum.
Phase 4
Endorsement Forum
Chapter conducts an “endorsement/candidate forum” at a
Chapter General Meeting with all parties including candidate/issue
presentations and EPC recommendations.
Phase 5 (1 week)
Chapter Vote
Conduct secret ballot vote of members in good standing, with
ranked choice voting when two or more candidates seek the same office.
final determination
Decision Announced
Candidates/stakeholders and Chapter members are informed of decision;
if endorsed, Chapter begins work on forming a Campaign Working Group
and soliciting volunteers.
Questions?