Uthmeier subpoenas Democratic Socialists regarding alleged foreign contributions

A week after the first Democratic Socialist of America (DSA)-backed candidate won a seat in the Florida Legislature, Attorney General James Uthmeier is subpoenaing the organization, alleging possible violation of state laws against solicitation of funds from Cuba and China.

“We are examining whether DSA accepted contributions or support from foreign sources of concern, including the regimes in Cuba and China,” Uthmeier said in a short video posted on his social media channels. “And whether its fundraising from Florida donors has been fully transparent and lawful.”

A delegation of DSA members — including members from Florida — joined a coalition of activist groups such as Code Pink and Progressive International on the “Nuestra America” convoy to Cuba in March. They reportedly brought medical and school supplies and solar panels and met with Cuban government officials.

The Florida Legislature has passed laws in recent years targeting foreign influence. That includes legislation passed in 2025 (SB 700) prohibiting nonprofits from accepting donations from entities or individuals associated with “foreign countries of concern” — which include China, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, Iran, Syria, and the Venezuelan government of Nicholas Maduro (removed by U.S. armed forces in January and awaiting trial on allegations of conspiring with drug cartels).

The DSA movement has burgeoned in the past couple of years, ignited by Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York mayor in the fall of 2025. Last week, six DSA candidates won election to Congress and, in Florida, Democrat Ashley Herrmann, backed by the DSA, ousted Republican incumbent Danny Alvarez in state House District 69 in Hillsborough County.

Uthmeier was on the ballot for the first time as a political candidate last week. He narrowly defeated Democrat José Javier Rodríguez  in the race for attorney general by less than 2 percentage points.

The Phoenix reached out to both the Democratic Socialists of America national office and the Florida chapter for comment. A member of the Florida DSA said that the organization had received the inquiry but did not provide an immediate response.