On November 3, 2025, Mamdani (center) spoke to the media at a campaign launch event in Queens, New York (French media)
Is it a bellwether or an exception?
Zohran Mamdani's campaign reached its peak this Tuesday – he decisively defeated former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral election.
Mamdani promised a new vision: repositioning the Democrats to be more in touch with the American working class, while not abandoning those views previously rejected by the mainstream.
Cuomo called it a "civil war" between "moderates" like himself and the emerging progressive forces like Mamdani.
These themes were everywhere on election day. For 68-year-old voter Michael Blackman from Brooklyn's Crown Heights, opposing the "establishment" was the top issue of this election.
Blackman told Al Jazeera, "Even if he can't fulfill all his promises, at least he (Mamdani) has ideals."
In his view, Cuomo represents the "old ways" of the long-standing liberal political establishment, as evidenced by his shared donors with President Donald Trump and his last-minute endorsement.
"Best Candidate": Gen Z voters in New York City support Zohran Mamdani [English video]
This Tuesday, the organization "Justice Democrats," which supports progressive candidates across the country, issued a statement saying, "Mamdani's victory should sound an alarm for all entrenched Democratic establishment figures – if you don't serve the interests of ordinary people, your term will be limited."
Mamdani's campaign team and main allies have openly seen his victory as a warning and hope that the impact of this victory will extend far beyond the five boroughs of New York City.
"It is crucial to convey this message, not only to New York City, not only to New York State," said state Senator Michael Gianaris standing beside Mamdani before the election, "not only to the United States, not only to the President of the United States... but also to the world."
He said, "When the people unite, they can accomplish anything."
A New Model?
As for what lessons Mamdani's campaign can bring, it remains to be seen.
Nationally, some senior Democrats remain cautious about the 34-year-old candidate, worried that his views, including his ties to the Democratic Socialists of America and his strong support for Palestinian rights, might alienate their voters in the 2026 midterm elections.
The first to face this concern is U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer – who has remained neutral in this campaign.
However, Democratic strategist Trip Yang said that regardless of the support received, Democrats would closely watch this election and look for directions for the party's future after last year's presidential and state legislative elections were a disaster.
Trip disagreed with describing the "competition" between old-line Democrats and up-and-coming figures like Mamdani as a civil war. He argued that if it were truly described that way, Cuomo would need to rally a large number of Democratic supporters, which hasn't happened yet.
"Democratic Civil War: Andrew Cuomo votes in the New York City election [English video]
Instead, he said Mamdani's victory showed the direction in which the Democratic Party is heading – whether its leaders like it or not: a transformation where labels are less important and diverse viewpoints are more accepted.
Trip said, "Whether you run as a democratic socialist, moderate, or conservative doesn't really matter. The reality is that voters care whether you're disciplined and able to respond to their most urgent issues."
He added, "In New York City, the key is housing affordability… but the key is to find this issue and consistently promote it in a positive way."
He also said that Mamdani's continuous presence in communities across the city and his willingness to interact with adversarial media is a model that Democrats should emulate.
He said, "Many Democrats just stay in safe political spaces."
Mayor-elect of New York City
Zohran Mamdani
34 years old
The self-proclaimed democratic socialist candidate was born in Uganda and raised in New York. He is the son of Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and Indian filmmaker Mira Nair.
He will become the first Muslim Indian-American mayor in the history of New York City.
He will take office on January 1, 2026.
Mamdani's campaign centered on an ambitious progressive policy agenda aimed at redistributing wealth, expanding public services, and changing city life.
This New York State Assembly member has been one of the most outspoken critics among elected officials in the U.S. against Israel's war in Gaza. In a post on October 31, 2024, he wrote, "My language will always be clear and fact-based: Israel is committing genocide."
His colorful, social media-driven campaign successfully reached a large number of voters. He married Syrian-American artist and illustrator Rama Duwaji in February (Al Jazeera).
"A Defining Issue of Our Time"
Daniel Waterman-London, a visiting professor in the history department at Brooklyn's Bard College, believes that Mamdani's success highlights "affordable housing is a defining issue of our time."
He pointed out that Democrats have historically succeeded when focusing on "affordable housing and economic security, everyday issues."
But that does not mean sacrificing commitment to other progressive ideas.
Waterman-London said, "Mamdani has found a way, but how to combine these priorities with the moral urgency of social justice that inspires many progressives?"
He also said, "If Democrats want to bridge internal divisions and rebuild a broad coalition, they need to draw on Mamdani's approach."
For many, Mamdani's support for Palestinian rights and his condemnation of the genocide in Gaza exemplify these ideals.
"Creating History": Mamdani votes in the New York City mayoral election [English video]
This also triggered a series of attacks from Cuomo, who called Mamdani an anti-Semite and a "sympathizer of terrorism."
Although Mamdani clarified some of his positions, such as no longer using the phrase "globalize the uprising," he still firmly supports Palestine and criticizes Israel.
"I appreciate that he has his own principles," said Mamdani supporter Shabnam Salihzadeh during an interview with Al Jazeera the night before the election.
Mamdani's success coincides with a surge in support for Palestinians within the Democratic Party, mainly due to the Gaza war, although many high-ranking members of the party still support military aid to Israel.
Salihzadeh said, "Mamdani saw the humanity of the Palestinians; he saw the essence of the genocide."
"This Proves We Are Right"
Undoubtedly, Mamdani's campaign success is just the beginning.
He will take office next January, facing numerous obstacles in implementing his agenda, especially when he tries to increase taxes on businesses and wealthy New Yorkers to fund some of his major commitments, including universal childcare.
"That being said," explained historian Waterman-London, "history shows that winning these battles is not impossible. Even a Republican mayor like Bloomberg succeeded in raising taxes after demonstrating efficient and disciplined leadership. If Mamdani can do the same, he may surprise people with remarkable achievements."
Mamdani votes in the November 4, 2025 mayoral election (AP)
For 34-year-old cybersecurity consultant Samad Ahmed, Mamdani's candidacy changed his life, inspiring him to vote in local elections for the first time.
But he knows public opinion is fickle. If Mamdani fails to deliver on his promises, the political ideas he advocates may backfire.
: "Personally, I've never felt there was a candidate who truly deserved my vote, who could represent my interests as a New Yorker," Ahmed said during an interview with Al Jazeera in Jackson Heights, Queens.
He said, "But he must prove we are right."
"Otherwise, he will quickly fall from power. That's the nature of New Yorkers. That's the nature of Americans."
Sources: Al Jazeera
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7569397900552307234/
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