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The Zohran Red Line

Zohran Mamdani, the presumptive future mayor of New York, still hasn’t received the endorsements of his fellow New Yorkers Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. The snub speaks volumes about Democratic insecurities: Is Mamdani the future of the party, or a midterm liability? How about both?

Zohran Mamdani
At the highest levels, Democratic party leaders are still reluctant to embrace a candidate they fear could subsequently hurt their chances at retaking the House, or even the Senate, which are their top priorities. Photo: Angelina Katsanis/AP Photo/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Leigh Ann Caldwell
October 19, 2025

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Zohran Mamdani’s seemingly inevitable occupation of Gracie Mansion has given a much-needed jolt to a Democratic Party still recovering from 2024 election–induced P.T.S.D. After all, the 34-year-old democratic socialist was an extreme longshot to win the Democratic primary, especially against former Governor Andrew Cuomo. But Mamdani ran a flawless social media campaign, stuck to a clear and concise affordability agenda—and, in the final stretch, he’s gone out of his way to meet with the city’s billionaires, explain himself to prominent rabbis, court the N.Y.P.D., and charm Martha MacCallum on Fox News.