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ot only did Republican candidate Donald Trump win the US presidential election on 5 November 2024 by a landslide, but the Republican Party also captured majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, painting the US map almost entirely red. The fact that the colour blue, representing the Democrats, was confined to certain states sparked intense debate about the political future of the Democrats in the US. Joe Biden’s weak leadership and Kamala Harris’ failure to make an impact as Trump’s opponent have brought arguments about a leadership problem within the Democratic Party to the forefront.
With Trump in the White House and the Republicans holding both houses of Congress, Democratic elites in Washington were contemplating the party’s future when an unexpected name emerged: Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani won the mayoral election in New York, the country’s financial heart, leaving his rivals, who had the support of almost all the elites, behind. The question now being asked in the US media and among the public is: What could Mamdani represent for the future of the Democratic Party?
The New York mayoral election, held on 4 November, essentially became a political contest that concerned not just one city, but the entire American political landscape. Mamdani, who won the Democratic Party primaries against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, has become such an extraordinary figure in American society that, just a year ago, it would have been unimaginable that he would become mayor of New York. Mamdani, who is only 34 years old and was born in Uganda, has defined himself as a ‘democratic socialist’ from the outset.
He has also clearly emphasised his Muslim identity on every issue, including Gaza and opposition to Israel. Furthermore, he has promised many socialist-style reforms for the city if elected. He was therefore elected as ‘New York’s first Muslim mayor’. Not only did Mamdani defeat the establishment elites and the traditional Democrat-Republican voter perception in these elections, he also defeated his rivals, who had the strong support of the Israel lobby and Jewish groups. In this respect, Mamdani’s election victory will be remembered as a success story worthy of many books on American political history.
Mamdani won over 50 per cent of the vote in New York, a city that is already democratic and liberal, leaving Cuomo behind. He received the most votes from young people. According to exit polls, he won 78 per cent of the vote among 18- to 29-year-olds, while 56 per cent of voters over 65 voted for Cuomo. This reveals how Generation Z currently views politics in the US.
It is clear that young people are forming their own political views and voting based on them, rather than being influenced by big corporations, the Israel/Jewish lobby, the established elite or the mainstream media. This relatively ‘independent’ approach among young people is quite fitting for the political spectrum represented by the ‘progressive’ wing within the Democratic Party. However, Mamdani occupies a slightly different position due to his Muslim identity. Nevertheless, given his ‘democratic socialist’ rhetoric and his closeness to Bernie Sanders, the ‘most socialist’ senator in the US Senate, Mamdani exemplifies the growth of the progressive wing within American society, particularly among young people under the age of 30.
Undoubtedly, the founding members and moderate elements of the Democratic Party are not particularly pleased with the growth of this progressive wing that is shifting towards socialism. These core elements of the party believe that progressive politics will never win presidential elections in the ‘cradle of capitalism’, and are closely monitoring the potential influence of figures like Mamdani within the party.
While Democratic Party leaders and 40-year-old Democrats in Congress may have their reservations, one thing is certain: young Democrats in the US may well prefer a 34-year-old figure like Mamdani, who promises to tackle economic inequality, to more traditional political figures. While Mamdani’s economic promises were a key factor in his election victory, his identity as a ‘democratic socialist and Muslim immigrant’ also enabled most New Yorkers to see part of themselves in him.
The impact of Mamdani’s highly successful social media campaigns on the public is undeniable. However, the events during and after the election suggest that he could play an even more significant role within the Democratic Party in the future. Although Mamdani was not born in the United States and is therefore ineligible to become president under the US Constitution, he is widely seen as a strong contender in the near future of Democratic politics.
However, his performance as mayor of New York will, of course, largely determine this potential. If he continues his sympathetic leadership and rhetoric during the election process, as he is doing now, he will maintain his popularity, particularly among young people. This could open new doors for the still very young Mamdani in US politics. His calm and composed demeanour during his meeting with US President Trump at the White House was also seen as an example of his ability to survive in the long and dark corridors of politics.
Ultimately, Mamdani won the New York election with his performance and political rhetoric in just one year. His true strengths and weaknesses will become apparent as he serves as president, but if he can maintain his current momentum, he could become a key figure for the Democrats in the short to medium term. The 2028 presidential elections and the political landscape that emerges afterwards will reveal more about how far he can go in US politics.
(Originally published in Turkish by Kriter)
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