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Astead W. Herndon

I spent five months following the Zohran Mamdani campaign, interviewing him and about 40 Democratic officials, donors and political insiders. I learned that his success is due to much more than his charisma →

Astead W. Herndon

Mamdani has pursued a kind of second primary to win over his skeptics, including business leaders and former city government officials. He’s shown a willingness to moderate some of his positions, like policing and his proposed millionaires’ tax.

Astead W. Herndon

He has heard out his critics, including supporters of Israel turned off by his lifelong advocacy for Palestinians. Mamdani’s position on Israel, once assumed to be a liability, has become a pillar of his anti-establishment credentials.

Astead W. Herndon

Mamdani’s win has created a moment of promise and peril for the Democratic Party. Some Democrats fear that his playbook could prove toxic in battleground states, or that their own political power could be displaced.

Astead W. Herndon

A surprising number of Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, did not want to talk about Mamdani or his impact on the party — a sign of the uncertain political times we’re in.