New York State’s governor and New York City’s mayor are illustrating how ideologically diverse Democrats can build winning coalitions. In the New York context, we are getting an object lesson in the ways both wings actually need each other.
All of the mayor’s endorsed candidates won last week. His ability to reshape New York City’s political landscape shows what happens when a socialist takes executive power. His clean sweep offers a glimpse of how a leader can reshape an entire party—
Zohran Mamdani got the headlines, but New York was not a one-off. Candidates endorsed by the Working Families Party had amazing election successes elsewhere in America, showing well-organized progressives can beat the power of big money.
It’s clear that Donald Trump will aim to make governance as difficult as possible for Zohran Mamdani’s potential New York City mayoralty. But Mamdani has a range of options available to counter the president’s attacks.
A crisis moment for media
Fear on campus
We do not accept New York City and State officials’ cruel response to asylum seekers, scapegoating new arrivals to defund public goods for everyone. Mayor Eric Adams announced a city hiring freeze, cuts of 15% for all New York City public agencies.
No sensible New Yorker should believe for a moment that a stream of migrants — despite the daunting financial and logistical issues involved in giving them food and shelter, as required by law — can literally destroy our city.
"I do think that this is a signal that being outwardly antagonistic, including trying to defeat progressive candidates, trying to demoralize those bases, is not healthy for the prospect of democratic gains."
On a night when things mostly went right for the party, the Empire State’s liberal leaders will be left to rue their costly errors and campaign struggles. State Dems sought to punish the Left in New York, instead lost control of Congress.
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