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Zohran Mamdani, Mayor-elect for New York City, has big goals within his campaign, but can he follow through on all of these promises?<\/p>\n
Rachel Kelly | Loyolan<\/a><\/p>\n Growing up, I’ve had an extremely critical and sometimes pessimistic view of worldly topics. But if there’s one thing my mother taught me, it’s how to recognize quality when I see it. Most importantly, this attitude is exposed throughout my dictation and dissection of political topics. That being said, Zohran Mamdani\u2019s<\/a> win has made one thing obvious \u2014 he has mastered the poetry of politics. Despite my optimism for him, I’m not confident that he can live up to his bold claims.<\/p>\n In the recent election cycle, a triumphant horn was blown for the Democratic Party. Abigail Spanberger<\/a> comprehensively brutalized<\/a> her opponent in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Mikie Sherrill<\/a> turned heads by defying pollsters in her New Jersey gubernatorial race and Proposition 50 passed<\/a> smoothly in California. However, a distant yet somewhat estranged cousin of the Democratic Party found its way into the enthusiastic celebrations as well: the concept of Democratic Socialism.<\/p>\n The election<\/a> of Mamdani was ultimately a success. How exactly? Through a demonstrated and extraordinary talent to completely rework the electorate via masterful messaging and marketing. In 2013, just 8%<\/a> of young New Yorkers between the ages of 18\u201334 voted for mayor. In 2025, the number jumped to 28%, which is more than triple the previous rate. So by definition, 2025 shattered precedent.<\/p>\n For a party maimed and beaten in 2024<\/a>, Mamdani\u2019s leadership is not only a source of hope but a robust revolution. He essentially revived something that democrats have lacked since Barack Obama’s<\/a> election in 2008<\/a>: a narrative of renewal.<\/p>\n But notoriety and responsibility carry a heavy burden. Mamdani now faces the task of proving that the energy of youth movements and his careful words can endure beyond the ballot box. His administration will be scrutinized, dissected and held to a higher standard not just by classic Republican opponents but by the young voters who delivered his victory. In fact, even the idea of selling an ineffective product to his voters could represent not only a downfall for Mamdani, but a downfall for the concept of Democratic Socialism as a whole.<\/p>\n Michael Genovese, Ph.D.,<\/a> professor of political science and international relations and president of the Global Policy Institute at LMU and Loyola chair of leadership studies believes Mamdani has a task of great consequence. \u201cMamdani has a big hill to climb \u2026 his success or failure, he\u2019s going to bring the Democrats up or down because he\u2019s the poster child right now,\u201d said Genovese.<\/p>\n Mamdani’s performance and policy agenda are not solely individual criteria that are required for re-election. They will impact Democrats across the country in the 2026 midterm elections<\/a> if proven ineffective and could deepen wounds in the already fragile image of both Democratic Socialism and the party as an entity.<\/p>\n \u201cIt depends on if Mamdani presents his more radical vision early,\u201d said Genovese. \u201cThat\u2019s a target Republicans will want to use. They will then try to paint every Democrat as a Mamdani \u2026 It could very well be that in a time of uncertainty where economic issues are difficult and people are scared and worried about the future they may think \u2018god he\u2019s a radical and he\u2019ll make things worse.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Mamdani\u2019s palette of policies<\/a> are diverse, ambitious and were sold well during his campaign. But let’s be clear, the individuals who voted for Mamdani didn\u2019t vote for a poet, they voted for a problem solver. This is the innate danger of a \u201csilver bullet<\/a>\u201d strategy \u2014 when every word attempts to achieve utopia, reality becomes the greatest threat. Mamdani essentially must prove that Democratic Socialism works more than just a mere slogan, but rather it\u2019s about proving if it can function as policy.<\/p>\n \u201cNo mayor in America has that kind of power to do that independently \u2026 So what Mamdani is going to have to do is build a consensus and take half a loaf; if he\u2019s willing to do that he can make real progress … It\u2019s difficult to get those things passed because they\u2019re unorthodox in a sense.\u201d said Genovese.<\/p>\n I cannot criticize Mamdani\u2019s audacious goals, in fact they are a breath of fresh air within the Democratic establishment \u2014 an establishment that has far too long relied upon moderate rhetoric to appeal to the masses. Mamdani\u2019s recent victory means more than a local triumph, it elevates him to a new leadership role alongside Senator Bernie Sanders<\/a> and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez<\/a> as a part of the new unapologetic progressive wave that is gaining more popular<\/a>ity<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n Sean Sparks, a political science major and president of the LMU chapter of California College Democrats explains, \u201cThe election itself shows where young people are at currently and how young people are feeling \u2026 in a way it\u2019s a very strong win for progressives but the Democratic Party’s reaction to it has been very disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n Sparks\u2019 observation shines light on a tension between Mamdani\u2019s bold progressive rhetoric and the broader Democratic coalition’s instincts. This reinforces the importance of Mamdani\u2019s victory. Mamdani\u2019s victory as it proves that voters \u2014 especially young voters \u2014 are hungry for ambition, not platitudes chimed repeatedly to them by establishment democrats.<\/p>\n \u201cSeveral key politicians such as Chuck Schumer<\/a> and Nancy Pelosi<\/a> refused to personally endorse Mamdani \u2026 A lot of people, especially in the club, find it disappointing that we have found a message that resonated with the public \u2026 but they\u2019re afraid to do it and it\u2019s disappointing seeing someone actively try to lose almost,\u201d said Sparks.<\/p>\n Mamdani has it all. He built his rise on bold promises and narratives so deeply desired by the youth \u2014 but having everything means nothing if he can\u2019t deliver on every word he used to get here. Every ideal he championed and every reformation he praised must be delivered as close to perfection as humanly possible, or else the cost won\u2019t just fall on Democratic Socialists and New Yorkers. It will ripple across the entire American electorate, with Mamdani becoming the poster child for the \u201cfailure\u201d of progressive policy for years to come.<\/p>\n \u201cI definitely have conflicting views \u2026 Overall I\u2019m cautiously optimistic but a little skeptical on his policy but I was definitely excited to see a Democrat win \u2026 the fact that New Yorkers chose to elect a Democratic Socialist, an immigrant, a young man \u2013 shows that they wanted change,\u201d said Sophie Lorscheider, a political science major.<\/p>\n All in all, I hold both high hopes and a deep sense of unease for him, because the threats won\u2019t just come from the political right \u2014 they\u2019ll come from inside his own party.<\/p>\n Good luck Mr. Mamdani!<\/p>\n