Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday, capping a stunning ascent for the 34-year-old state lawmaker, who was set to become the city’s most liberal mayor in generations.
In a victory for the Democratic party’s progressive wing, Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani must now navigate the unending demands of America’s biggest city and deliver on ambitious — skeptics say unrealistic — campaign promises.
With the victory, the democratic socialist will etch his place in history as the city’s first Muslim mayor, the first of South Asian heritage and the first born in Africa. He will also become the city’s youngest mayor in more than a century when he takes office on Jan. 1.
First of all, it was a 3 way race, against far better known candidates. He was running an untested Socialist campaign, against ferocious propaganda from BOTH sides. The voters had to remain courageous, ignore ALL that, and tell the “experts” that they didn’t care, something that they historically don’t tend to do. By all standard political theory, he should have been crushed by 50 points.
In America, many races are within a few points. It’s not at all unusual to have a race decided by only a point, or even less. In any race, an 8 point lead is significant. For an unknown Socialist, coming out of nowhere, against the most incredible bi-partisan smear campaign I’ve ever seen, to win by 8 points, is an enormous victory.
Both MAGA and established Democrats are terrified today. The Progressive Left just fired the first shots of the New Civil War, and hit every target.
I don’t think many established Democrats are terrified. If anything, they’re hopefully learning lessons. Get your damn fingers out of the wind trying to test which narrative will appeal to the most people, and instead do what makes sense and show an actual vision for what your district/city/state/country can look like.
Great context, thanks.