Mamdani urges Democrats to turn election wins into action

“We must use it,” Mamdani said in a video posted Wednesday, adding that voters would recognize “the difference between hollow words and hard work.” He also said people were tired of being told resources were scarce while Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire. Mamdani supports Medicare for All, universal childcare and higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans to fund social services. A recent Siena poll put his favorability among New Yorkers at 69%.

In an NBC News interview, anchor Kristen Welker said that, aside from Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, nearly all of Democrats’ biggest statewide victories had gone to more moderate candidates. The article noted that Bernie Sanders had endorsed and campaigned with successful left-wing candidates Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota and Troy Jackson in Maine. Mamdani argued that the results showed support for policies associated with progressive governance, regardless of candidates’ political labels.

He cited James Talarico’s campaign for universal pre-K, Annie Andrews’ call to end endless wars and Keisha Lance Bottoms’ proposal to streamline affordable housing construction. Mamdani identified them as the Democratic senators-elect in Texas and South Carolina and the governor-elect in Georgia, respectively.

Justice Democrats co-founder Saikat Chakrabarti said voters would hold Democrats to campaign promises to end endless wars, challenge corporate power and make healthcare available to all. In a separate MeidasTouch interview, Mamdani described the working class as “the only majority in this country” and said working-class Americans across states deserved dignity they could feel in their lives.