Among the first political figures to express support for Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was Bill de Blasio, who served as mayor of New York City from 2014 to 2021.
Like Mamdani, de Blasio comes from the left wing of the Democratic Party. During his two consecutive terms, he focused primarily on tackling social inequality, earning a reputation as the most progressive New York mayor since the 1960s. His achievements include the introduction of universal pre-K, which remains a model nationwide, and an ambitious plan to create 300,000 affordable housing units.
Former mayor of the New York city , Bill de Blasio. Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
To counter New York’s soaring rents, he launched a legal-aid programme for tenants, which reduced evictions by 41% between 2013 and 2019, according to city data. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he channelled municipal funds into strengthening New York’s public hospitals.
Ahead of next Tuesday’s municipal elections, de Blasio spoke to To Vima, praising Mamdani’s candidacy and explaining why he believes the race could help re-energise the Democratic Party.
Zohran Mamdani is running for New York mayor as the left-wing alternative to the Democratic establishment. Yet some prominent Democrats, such as former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel (2011-2019), argue that Mamdani symbolises the party’s shift too far to the left — a move they fear could alienate moderates and business interests. What do you think?
“Democrats win when we stay — when we remain — connected to working people and their struggles. When we challenge the establishment and the privileges of the wealthy, ordinary Americans feel closer to us. Bernie Sanders proved that a decade ago, and Zohran Mamdani is proving it again today.
Americans don’t care so much about moderation on social issues as they do about practical solutions to their everyday problems — how to pay their bills and make ends meet.”
Do you believe Mamdani’s stance on Palestine and the Gaza war could alienate New York’s Jewish voters?
“Although I don’t always trust opinion polls, my experience tells me that surveys show Jewish support for Mamdani is roughly the same as for Andrew Cuomo, who’s running as an independent.
The Jewish community in New York is diverse — ideologically as well. Many younger, more progressive Jews are outraged by the Netanyahu government’s actions in Gaza.
While I think Zohran still has work to do to reassure Jews who are concerned about their safety in New York, I don’t believe his views on the Middle East have alienated a large part of the Jewish community. On the contrary, I think most Jewish voters make their decisions based on local, not international, issues.”
History shows that progressive mayors succeed when they understand why voters elected them. Political scientist Sheri Berman of Columbia University argues that left-wing mayors are most effective when they focus, first, on their cities’ specific problems and, second, on the issues they have the power to fix. Do you think Mamdani can achieve both goals?
“I agree with Berman’s analysis, and I believe Zohran understands it completely.
There’s a wonderful expression in American politics that fits perfectly here: ‘sewer socialism.’ It was coined by a socialist mayor of Milwaukee — Emil Seidel — who served from 1910 to 1912, the first socialist mayor of a major American city. He saw socialism as the fair and efficient provision of public services.
By his logic, even garbage collection and properly functioning sewers were ways to reduce the inequalities of capitalism.
Despite his growing international profile, Zohran will do best if he keeps his focus on local issues and strives for as many tangible successes — large or small — as possible. Consistency in his work and maintaining close ties with working-class neighbourhoods will secure his long-term political support.”
How much of a blow would Mamdani’s victory be to the Republicans — and to Donald Trump himself?
“The reason Mamdani’s victory would hurt Trump is that Zohran can offer a better model for Democrats nationwide, using the powerful platform that comes with leading New York — the country’s largest city.
If Zohran manages to govern with honesty and inspiration, he’ll help Democrats across the nation regain hope and energy.
If he can deliver fast, free bus service, even in parts of the city, he’ll prove to all Americans that Democrats really can break the establishment and improve people’s lives.
Mamdani’s success would mark the Democrats’ return to their roots — to the working class — and help correct the current perception of the party as an elite force disconnected from ordinary citizens.”
