Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Teresa Ghilarducci Ph.D. is an Economics Professor. Some Democratic candidates are running (and occasionally winning) as Democratic Socialists.

The local chapter of the national organization has seen a rise in new members since the presidential election.

As a result, two presidential cycles on, democratic socialists have now run and won races all the way up to the U.S. House, and democratic socialism has now become a “thing” in American politics.