0 socialist candidates won. Joe Tuche and Greg Levy both got a little over 2% of the vote each, and even if they had won, you still cannot change a capitalist system into a socialist one electorally. The state is not a neutral body, it’s something that co-evolves alongside the base mode of production and distribution, and is under the control of whoever controls the commanding heights of the economy. A socialist-led government over a capitalist state has no power over the capitalist class, because the capitalists control the economy.

There were many social democratic candidates that won, correct. The people clearly do want a system that works for them, and social democracy a la the DSA is in people’s heads the path of least resistance to that. However, because the problem of choosing who controls the economy is never addressed, this can only end in reforms that are taken away as soon as there is a crisis of profitability. It does not replace the need for socialism.

As for revolution, it isn’t just something you do, or something that falls into your lap. It happens when there is a large, revolutionary socialist party, a class conscious working class, and a crisis in the capitalist class. We can directly contribute to the first two by getting involved with a socialist party. Both Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the Party for Socialism and Liberation have two tiers of membership, general membership which is low commitment in time and money, and cadre membership, which requires significant time and money. See which is more active near you (almost certainly PSL, but varies), and consider joining the general membership!

And yes, I do organize already. You should too!