The New Orleans DSA electoral endorsement is an indication of a material commitment from the chapter’s membership to campaign for a candidate. As such, it is a choice made democratically by the membership and only candidates who are members of New Orleans DSA are eligible for endorsement.

New Orleans DSA Electoral Endorsement Process

1. At the latest one week after Qualifying period ends: Endorsement request initiated by a member with 10 signatures due to Local Council (Step 1)
2. After the endorsement request is received by Local Council: Local Council collects questions for the candidate & approves questions to ask (Step 2)
3. No later than two weeks after candidate qualifying ends or two months before election day (whichever is later): Local Council facilitates Q&A with candidate(s) (Step 3)
4. Subsequent General Meeting: Begin the endorsement debate and online voting with 25% quorum and majority “yes” votes in one week period

Electoral candidates seeking endorsement from the New Orleans DSA have the following expectations:

1. An endorsed DSA member will retain membership to DSA, meet with Local Council at least on a quarterly basis, to make a best effort to attend monthly General Meetings, to not publicly disparage DSA or its principles, and to work to build a socialist caucus in the relevant body.
2. An endorsed DSA member will bloc vote with other endorsed DSA members in whatever body they are elected to as a socialist caucus as voted upon by the caucus.
3. An endorsed DSA member is required to vote in accordance with DSA’s national political platform and resolutions passed by the New Orleans chapter, including our commitment to Anti-Zionism.
4. An endorsed DSA member is expected but not required to endorse DSA members running for office.
5. An endorsed DSA member is required to not endorse a non-DSA member running against a DSA member.

Our adopted commitments to Anti-Zionism requires that all of New Orleans DSA’s endorsed candidates hold true to the following basic commitments:

1. Either publicly support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement or not publicly oppose it;
2. Refrain from any and all affiliation with the Israeli government or Zionist lobby groups, such as, but not limited to, AIPAC, J Street, or Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI), including participating in political junkets or any event sponsored by these entities;
3. Pledge to oppose legislation that harms Palestinians or those who support Palestinian liberation, such as

• Any official adoption of a redefinition of antisemitism to include opposition to Israel’s policies or legal system, or support for BDS (e.g., IHRA definition of antisemitism);
• Legislative and executive efforts to penalize individuals, universities and entities that boycott Israel;
• Legislative and executive efforts to send any military or economic resources to Israel;

4. Pledge to support legislation that supports Palestinian liberation, such as

• Legislative and executive efforts to end Israeli apartheid and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians and promote Palestinians’ rights to return to and live freely on the land (e.g., H.R. 2590);
• Condemnation of Israeli apartheid and colonial practices  (e.g., H.Res. 751);
• Attempts to end the spending of U.S. tax dollars on Israel and/or sanction Israel until it ceases its practices of apartheid and colonialism

Potential candidates who cannot commit to the aforementioned basic expectations will be disqualified from recommendation or endorsement