A Major Victory for Insurgent Democrats
6/25/202629 min
On Tuesday, a blowout in the New York primaries cemented Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a local kingmaker. All three of his chosen candidates won, and their victories pointed to a growing movement within the Democratic Party.
Nicholas Fandos, who covers New York politics for The New York Times, explains whether their victories will help Democrats in the midterms.
Guest: Nicholas Fandos, a reporter covering New York politics and government for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Mr. Mamdani shook the Democratic establishment by helping drive three progressive candidates to victory.
- Here’s why New York’s Democratic establishment fell to Team Mamdani.
Photo: Lexi Parra/The New York Times
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
This is Maurice Chammah, the host of a new podcast from Ciro Productions, The Marshall Project, and The New York Times. Last year, I spent three months embedded with a capital defense team. Their client had been on death row for more than 30 years, and now his execution date had been set. I followed along as the lawyers tried to prove something nobody had successfully done in three decades: that one of Texas's most notorious serial killers was actually innocent. The Last 12 Weeks. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Rachel Abrams· Host0:29
From The New York Times, I'm Rachel Abrams, and this is The Daily.
Zohran Mamdani· Soundbite0:35
[upbeat music] Good evening, everyone. [cheering] What a good evening it is.
Rachel Abrams· Host0:43
[cheering] On Tuesday, a blowout in the New York primary cemented Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a local kingmaker.
Zohran Mamdani· Soundbite0:50
What you all have shown this evening, whether for State Assembly, State Senate, or Congress, is that a year ago, it was not the end of a political movement. [cheering] It was the beginning.
Rachel Abrams· Host1:02
[cheering] All of his chosen candidates won, and their victories pointed to a growing movement within the Democratic Party.
Zohran Mamdani· Soundbite1:10
D-S-A. D-S-A. D-S-A.
Rachel Abrams· Host1:13
Today, political reporter Nick Fandos explains whether their victories help Democrats in the midterms or put their chances of winning control of Congress at risk.
Unknown speaker1:23
[pensive music]