NYC mayor says democratic socialist platform can succeed nationwide after local primary wins
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told ABC's "This Week" that recent primary victories for candidates he endorsed demonstrate that a democratic socialist message focused on working-people issues can resonate across the United States.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told ABC News' "This Week" that the recent primary victories of three congressional candidates he backed – Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Brad Lander – show a democratic socialist message can win elections nationwide. The candidates secured wins in New York, with Lander and Chevalier defeating incumbent Democrats.
"I think a democratic socialist can get elected anywhere across this country for any position," Mamdani said.
Mamdani added that voters in many states are concerned about housing costs, food prices and child-care expenses, and that these issues echo the concerns of New Yorkers. He said the newly elected representatives will help advance policies that put working people at the center of the political conversation.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) warned that New York's progressive victories may not translate to swing districts, describing attempts to nationalize the results as likely to fail. Mamdani responded that his focus on “fighting for working people” is already a national message and that the Democratic Party needs a broader vision beyond opposition to the current administration.
When asked about policy disagreements, including Avila Chevalier's past support for abolishing prisons and open borders, Mamdani acknowledged differences but emphasized a shared commitment to public safety and investment in social services. He also said the races highlighted voter desire for a clear stance on U.S. military support for Israel, urging the party to let Democratic voters shape its approach.
Regarding Israel, Mamdani expressed support for a state that guarantees equal rights for all citizens, while declining to endorse a specifically religious definition of the state.
Mamdani concluded that the recent wins illustrate space within the Democratic Party for a platform centered on working-people concerns and that the party must maintain a coherent, inclusive agenda moving forward.