With Tuesday’s election, window for dramatic change may be opening. Mamdani’s triumph has potential to be not just a local event but catalyst for broader political realignment in New York. Several converging forces could make progressive breakthrough possible – even likely – in the coming years. /8

Either Mamdani will mobilize pressure to overcome resistance in Albany, or his agenda will be watered down and stalled. The stakes of this tug-of-war are high: success would signal a newly empowered left in New York State, while failure would illustrate the enduring power of the status quo. /7

Mamdani’s movement must “go big” since his ambitious agenda – from raising taxes on the wealthy, to funding universal child care, to making city buses free and fast – will require action in Albany, but Governor Kathy Hochul has remained steadfast in opposing any new taxes on high earners. /6

more progressive New York state party could prod national Democrats to be bolder on issues of economic and racial justice and climate change, counteracting the cautious tilt that New York’s centrist establishment has often encouraged in Washington. /5

Yet these constraints set the stage for far more transformative change, as supporters are forced to push for fundamental changes at the state level.

And because NY plays outsized role in Dem Party nationally (see Schumer and Jeffries), leftward shift in NY could reverberate across country. /4

Many pundits have downplayed the significance of Mamdani’s mayoral victory. NY Times wrote his victory is “less significant than you think.” NYC mayors, as Ross Douthat noted, have historically struggled to translate election wins into broader influence. /3
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/o...

Article written before Schumer and US Senate corporate moderates betrayed America - and backlash anger detailed in piece will blaze 10x through grassroots, just adding to the energy driving primaries against Dem collaborators with corporate power in New York. /2

This litmus test should apply to every Democrat including @ossoff.bsky.social and others who are running for re-election next year.

This was my accolade to Pelosi three years ago when she stepped down as Speaker. Reposting because need to remember there are Dem leaders worth praising as we take the gut punch of betrayal and leadership incompetence we are seeking in the Senate.

nathannewman.substack.com/p/pelosi-sav...