Lessons From Mamdani’s Success

but will Democrats learn anything from it?

Zohran Mamdani’s stunning victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary is a watershed moment—not just for the city, but for the Democratic Party at large. His win, achieved over a scandal-ridden former governor and despite relentless opposition from the party establishment, offers a blueprint for how Democrats can reconnect with working-class voters and revitalize a party that is out of touch.

Mamdani’s campaign succeeded because it was laser-focused on bread-and-butter issues: housing, wages, and the everyday cost of living. He proposed city-owned grocery stores to lower food costs, free buses, free childcare, and a $30 minimum wage by 2030—policies that spoke directly to the struggles of ordinary New Yorkers.

Unlike many progressives, Mamdani avoided divisive rhetoric, distanced himself from “defund the police,” and steered clear of activist jargon that can alienate moderate or apolitical voters. He not only won over core progressives but also mobilized working-class voters who had previously sat out Democratic primaries. Even some so-called centrists from more affluent parts of Manhattan voted for him.

But Mamdani’s victory is not just about policy. It’s about authenticity, grassroots organizing, and a willingness to challenge the establishment. He knocked on thousands of doors, connected with voters where they live, and ran a campaign that felt genuine and relatable. His win exposed the bankruptcy of a Democratic centrist establishment that has become risk-averse, technocratic, and bereft of compelling ideas. Instead of offering bold solutions to rising costs, stagnant wages, and housing insecurity, centrists have clung to stale, recycled, impenetrable and forgettable policy positions that feature incremental tweaks that fail to inspire or address the urgency of the moment.

A party that once cast itself as the vehicle for working-class political power now struggles to articulate what it delivers for working people. This failure isn’t just about policy, but about perception: more and more working-class voters see Democrats as a party of affluent professionals, disconnected from everyday economic struggles.

The “moderate” wing’s inability to offer fresh ideas has left the party’s traditional base feeling abandoned, while centrists continue to misread the electorate and blame progressives for losses rather than confronting their own lack of vision.

Nobody is asking all Democratic candidates to mimic every one of Mamdani’s positions. What is relevant to New York will not be to western Pennsylvania. What is universal is a living wage, child care and other issues about which all voters care. You don’t need slogans to win over these voters. Explain the message in simple terms that all non-MAGA voters can embrace. Animate the progressives and win over the others with winning policy positions.

Yet, even as Mamdani celebrates, there are already signs that some Democrats want to undermine him. To sideline Mamdani would be to send a message that honesty, vision, and courage are liabilities, not assets, in the Democratic Party. It would reinforce the perception that the party is more interested in protecting its insiders than in embracing the energy and ideas of its base. For Democrats running in 2026, the lesson is clear: voters are hungry for candidates who offer real solutions to their daily struggles, not just attacks on Republicans or empty promises.

If the Democratic Party wants to win in 2026 and beyond, it must learn from Mamdani’s example and move beyond centrist complacency. That means prioritizing economic populism, engaging directly with voters, and welcoming—not undermining—bold, authentic voices. Anything less is a betrayal of the party’s own values and a recipe for continued decline. Mamdani’s win is a wake-up call. Democrats should answer it.