Zohran Mamdani has won the race for New York City mayor, according to Decision Desk HQ, ushering in a new era of progressive politics in the city and reigniting the debate over the Democratic Party’s future.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, is poised to become the first millennial and first Muslim to lead New York City, after a campaign that pulled off one of the most stunning political upsets in recent memory. He defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who mounted a long-shot independent bid after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in his bid to succeed Mayor Eric Adams.
Mamdani focused heavily on affordability, pledging to freeze rent, establish city-owned grocery stores and make buses free for riders. He quickly became a progressive icon as well as a polarizing figure within the party over his positions, so much so that it divided prominent New York Democratic leadership over whether to endorse him.
Amen, brother/sister
I don’t actually think he will do that much due to how stacked the powers are against him, but I think he has shown to the powers that be how reviled they are, and how they need to start playing ball with progressives if they want to win votes again
I’m assuming city council is going to be his biggest obstacle?
I reckon it’s possible, though not easy, to use that to his advantage the next time IF he does a decent enough job his first term. Keep people informed that some backwards-ass council members are voting against good policies, so the people know to vote them out next time. I hope Mamdani’s the great communicator he seems to be. A huge reason for people’s indifference and the whole “both parties are the same” issue that greatly benefits Republicans, is that people aren’t really informed about who’s voted for what. Inform people about just a few key votes that matter to them, and they may be more active in the primaries (to hopefully swap out their own party’s uninspiring old candidate for fresh blood) as well as eventually in the elections themselves.