By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayoral primary has energized progressives, but he faces significant opposition from the billionaire class and the establishment, who are expected to heavily fund his opponents. India Walton, who lost her general election, cautions that Mamdani’s campaign should focus on grassroots efforts such as direct conversations to combat fear and spread their message. Key to victory is the importance of engaging working-class voters and countering corporate interests who will likely target Mamdani with negative messaging in the general election, as well as highlighting the importance of this win for the future of the Democratic party.
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Zohran Mamdani’s battle against the billionaire class and the Democratic establishment is just beginning, and it’s a fight many believe is long overdue. Seeing how quickly the establishment closed ranks around certain figures really highlights their priorities: maintaining power, even at the expense of tangible improvements in people’s lives. It’s a stark reminder that the Democratic party, as it currently operates, seems more concerned with defending its own than with actually addressing the material conditions of the people they claim to represent.
The anger towards establishment Democrats feels justified. While rightfully condemning Republicans, there’s a sense that the same level of scrutiny isn’t applied to Democrats. A glaring double standard exists in the media, where progressive candidates are held to an impossible standard of perfection, while Republicans get a free pass on a history of questionable behavior. This, of course, is probably the reason why so much resources are spent looking into Mamdani’s past, just to find anything that could tarnish his reputation. If they can’t find anything, well, expect some stuff to be made up, even if it’s clearly manufactured.
The data, especially the young voter turnout numbers, are clear. Mamdani’s strategy is working. The Democratic establishment seems to exist primarily to block the rise of truly left-leaning candidates. They can’t seem to stand up against the likes of Trump or the GOP, but when it comes to figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Bernie Sanders, they transform into a force of opposition. It’s a bizarre phenomenon to see people defending billionaires, especially when their interests are so often at odds with the needs of the majority.
The media’s reaction is telling. It’s a mayoral race in a major city and the other candidate was considered subpar. Yet, the focus is clearly on shutting down the growing progressive movement. Mamdani’s ideas, like his supermarket charter program, are innovative and designed to help his constituency. Yet, they are treated almost as a threat to the system. Meanwhile, the establishment seems more or less okay with the status quo and even seem to support the opposition, the same one that makes people lives difficult.
It’s concerning to see the “blue no matter who” mentality in action, especially when the establishment seems to be more concerned with party loyalty than with actually enacting policies that would benefit the public. The focus on these internal fights detracts from the bigger picture: a country that desperately needs systemic compassion and change. The possibility of a third party or a significant shift in the political landscape is a real possibility.
The establishment Democrats’ failures are undeniable. They’ve repeatedly ignored the needs and desires of their constituents, favoring instead the interests of the wealthy and the powerful. The income inequality is unsustainable, and the frustration is palpable. There’s a fear that the push for real change will be met with fierce resistance from the minority mega-wealthy class who are well-armed in one way or another. Mamdani’s rise and his actions are a call for more people to rise up and fight. It’s about time someone stirs things up. This is the people’s battle.
The “blue no matter who” strategy is crumbling under the weight of its own contradictions. Progressives have been told for years to focus on smaller offices, like mayoral positions, as a stepping stone to higher office, yet when they actually do it, they are met with resistance and criticism. The anger and frustration towards the Democratic establishment are not a manufactured conspiracy; it’s a reflection of genuine dissatisfaction with the status quo.
The Democratic party has become the party of the status quo. The party rolled out Kamala Harris without any primary, her whole platform, and those of many other Democrats, is status quo. Republicans, on the other hand, have become the party of change. This has come to a point that the same people who were warning against the danger of Trump are now recognizing that the true enemy are those Democrats. The change they want might be christo-fascist, but the truth is that the Democratic Party is in bed with the same billionaires and the establishment, and they are essentially indistinguishable from the Republicans in their dedication to the status quo.
The time for change is now. Support progressive candidates in the primaries. Make sure the established Democrats understand that they are now a minority. The US has drifted too far for too long, and is time to rebalance the system. Disband the Democratic Party and start new, without the old guard. The establishment seems to hate progress over party. Only a handful of people control the world’s wealth, but as long as the average American feels like they might be one of them, nothing will change. It’s a fight that needs to be fought, especially in a city as crucial as New York. The fear is that such a spotlight on a mayoral race could mean seeing more progressives running everywhere, and once people realize the policies work, then they’ll lose their grip on power.