Zohran Mamdani takes on governing as the left and right fight to define him

Zohran Mamdani’s rapid rise from outer-borough state assemblyman to shock Democratic mayoral nominee was already one of the biggest political stories in years in New York City

Zohran Mamdani’s rapid rise from outer-borough state assemblyman to shock Democratic mayoral nominee was already one of the biggest political stories in years in New York City.

Now, the 34-year-old democratic socialist’s victory in Tuesday’s mayoral election has put him on the verge of becoming an even bigger story nationally. Operatives and political leaders on the progressive left and MAGA right are looking to nationalize Mamdani’s narrative for the midterm elections and beyond, as he begins his transition from campaigning to governing the nation’s largest city.

Whether the political tactic works for either side, to change or brand the Democratic Party, largely depends on just one thing: whether Mamdani is as effective a mayor as he was a candidate.

His success will depend on a few factors, starting with whom he hires and builds coalitions with, as well as which issues he prioritizes, former Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said. Peduto said that Mamdani needs to bring in a combination of people from inside and outside government to fill out his administration, all while getting buy-in from state government and city institutions on his policy agenda.