The sudden victory of Zahran Mamdani in the preliminary elections of the Democratic Party for the position of mayor of New York City, highlights a number of important issues such as: redefining politics, the position of young generations from them, and what was called “Gaza Policy”, which appear in the intersection spaces between the support of the Palestinians, and local issues of concern to voters.
I wrote a lot on the pages of Al -Jazeera Net about the global support of the Palestinians after the flood, and the relationship of a generation to this solidarity. This phenomenon was characterized by many positives, but it suffered from the inability to influence the “institution of the institution” that stands behind and intersects networks of established interests. If Mamdani won the scheduled elections (next September), then this means bridging the gap between protesting and approving policies.
The 33 -year -old migrant Muslim campaign and the owner of democratic socialism – from popular efforts, strong presence on social media, and focusing on the issue of ability to bear costs, which is the main living issue for many classes in New York City, to fill a younger, varied and progressive voter base, which led to an increase in demand for it.
Mamdani’s victory has effects on the Democratic Party, especially with regard to accepting left -wing policies, and his stances from Israel, which sparked controversy and anxiety between some Jewish voters and business elites.
The general narration indicates a possible shift in the political scene of New York City, and provides various lessons for the Jewish and Muslims in American politics, as well as the policies of the Democratic Party.
His victory was driven by a mixture of strategic campaigns, convincing political agenda, effective communication, and blatant contradiction with his main opponent, Andrew Como, the former mayor of the city.
Pension
Mamdani’s campaign is relentlessly confirmed the message of addressing the overwhelming cost of living in New York City, which is one of the most expensive cities in the world. His basic proposals included freezing rents for two million rented, providing free buses in the city, providing comprehensive children’s care, and financing these initiatives by increasing taxes on companies and wealthy people.
This message was deeply resonated by the tenants of the classes: working, medium, and upper, in the neighborhoods: white, Latin, and Asian.
Mamdani, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, adopted policies that focus on redistributing wealth, and suggested measures such as: the city’s grocery stores, and investing $ 70 billion in state -backed housing.
Its victory indicates that the tendency to the left in economic issues may not harm the candidates, but rather it may be a profitable strategy.
The most prominent analysis of the Washington Post is that Mamdani succeeded in preserving the smaller and liberal alliance that supported Maya and Eli and Catherine Garcia in the preliminary elections for the mayor in 2021, and even expanded its scope.
He made great progress with non -white voters, and won support in areas where large numbers of the American -American population are located, gained voices in Spanish -majority neighborhoods, and also succeeded in the neighborhoods of southern Brooklyn, which includes large American American societies.
His background as the first Muslim man from South Asia to serve in the state of the state also helped him attract many of the formerly non -involved voters, including young Muslim voters and their parents.
Some claim that while ideology plays a role, “the quality of the candidate may be more important than anything else.” Asala Mamdani, his energy and his ability to communicate with ordinary voters, by focusing on the cost of living, were the main factors for his attractiveness, bypassing purely ideology.
This phenomenon is called in contemporary politics: “post -ideology.”
In the areas that Mamdani won by the majority of votes, turnout increased by 20% on average, and in the areas where he got an overwhelming majority, the turnout jumped by more than 40%, compared to 2021. This turnout was particularly strong among younger voters (18-29 and 30-39 years) who voted historically at lower rates in the primaries, but they flocked to the polls. In favor of Mamdani.
Mamdani’s campaign succeeded in mobilizing “an army of thousands of volunteers”, and they knocked more than 1.5 million doors across the city. This traditional method of election campaigns, which is to speak with and persuade neighbors, was very important, as it strengthened democratic participation and satisfied the desire to participate.
Mamdani is described as “talented” and provided attractive ads. Its content was strong and entertaining, allowing younger supporters to be attracted to him. The slogan of his campaign inspired by yellow taxi was also aimed at visually representing New York City.
Mamdani campaign was used effectively, which led to the production of attractive advertisements on social media and entertainment content. This allowed younger supporters to easily publish his message to older generations, and inspired thousands of young people to participate in record numbers.
This strategy can be a major lesson for politicians everywhere on how to reach and inspire young people, a demographic category that is seen as a major challenge to their involvement in politics.
The Andrew Como campaign was faded, avoiding risk and traditional. Como, one of the symbols of the “old guard” in politics in New York, tried to return to the political scene after his resignation from the position of ruler amid accusations of sexual harassment.
Voters, including many who are tired of the political establishment, looked at Mamdani as a new, vital and optimistic alternative. Despite the feature of collecting the large donations enjoyed by Komo ($ 25-30 million), most of which are billionaires, Mamdani relied on small donations from more than 21 thousand shareholders, with 75% of them donated less than $ 100.
Mamdani’s victory strengthens the idea that the quality of the candidates is important, and that the voters are no longer ready to “force themselves to choose another candidate who suffers from serious defects.”
Gaza policy
Regarding foreign policy, Mamdani was an explicit critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing it as a “genocide”, supporting the boycott movement, withdrawing investments and imposing sanctions.
While the Hamas attacks condemned and described it as a “horrific war crime”, it explicitly emphasized the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state, noting that it has “a right to exist and the responsibility of adhering to international law.”
He also refused to condemn the phrase “globalization of the intifada”, which has caused criticism from some Jewish leaders who considered it a call to violence. He expressed his hatred of anti -Semitism, and promised to increase funding for hate crimes if elected.
Mamdani converted to left -wing positions in social and external policy, and adopted “not at our expense” legislation, which aims to prevent New York -based charities, from financing Israeli settlement activities.
This ideological clarity, which he developed with personalities such as Bernie Sanders – an independent Congress member – has resonated with a large segment of the democratic base.
The Zahran Mamdani campaign linked its position on the Gaza war to the local demands of the New York residents, by framing an international issue as a directly related issue in New York State, and by taking advantage of his identity and digital contacts to mobilize a diverse audience of voters interested in both the ability to withstand costs and specified foreign policy situations.
This intersection and communication was made through:
1- Legislation “Not on our account”: Mamdani defended the “not at our expense” legislation, which aims to make the financing of New York -based charities as its headquarters for Israeli settlement activities, violations of the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Basic System is illegal.
He explained that New York State, by granting these organizations, putting non -profit organizations, “actually supports these atrocities” and “war crimes”.
This initiative directly linked the external conflict to the financial and organizational policies of the state of New York, and considered it a case related to local government.
2- The cost of living as a central message: Mamdani’s campaign was constantly focused on the overwhelming cost of living in New York City, and suggested measures such as: freezing rent for two million tenants, establishing 200,000 new housing units at reasonable prices, making buses “fast and free”, and providing comprehensive child care, all of which is funded by imposing taxes on companies and wealthy people.
The ability to withstand this cost was the main driver of many of his voters. The success of his campaign indicated that many voters either agreed to his views on Israel, or were ready to ignore it in favor of his strong focus on economic issues, and his new and vital approach to politics.
3- Identity and expanded coalition: The unique background of Mandanani- as a 33-year-old democratic socialist, the Muslim son born in Uganda to Indian parents- allowed to communicate with previously separate voters, especially non-white voters, and those who have strong feelings towards international events.
His background allowed him to communicate with a variety of societies, including those that include large numbers of South and East Asian population, and often addressed crowds in languages such as Indian and Spanish.
While the main focus of his policies was the ability to bear the costs, his position on the Gaza war was also linked to specific population groups within his coalition, such as Muslim societies and progressive youth.
For example, a video clip on social media last November, highlighting that some immigrants and low -income voters who voted for Trump in favor of Trump; They did this because of “Gaza, the ability to bear costs, and other things.”
This indicates that foreign policy issues were intertwined for some voters with their broader concerns about their leaders and daily life.
His strategy was on social media, which he often showed while discussing political arguments on daily issues such as grocery costs and metro wages, effective in bridging gaps between generations and cultures, allowing younger supporters to share his message with their older relatives. This helped build an alliance capable of accommodating local economic grievances and international concerns.
4- The political framework: Mamdani presented a vision of the Democratic Party, which “fights for the working class without an apology”, and guarantees a “decent life” for all New York.
This widespread ideological position allowed its specific proposals on the ability to bear the costs and its positions on international issues such as the Gaza war, to coexist inside a coherent progressive platform that attracted a new, younger and more active left -wing wing in the Democratic Party.
While critics considered his controversial or anti -Semitic stances, Mamdani pledged to be a mayor of all New York residents and address concerns about hate crimes.
The opinions in the article do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al -Jazeera.