Latest news with #democratic socialist
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Could a Canadian Zohran Mamdani win an election here? Party insiders have hopes — and tips
A former Ontario MPP says the NDP should be looking south to inspire their new federal leader As the federal New Democratic Party starts its search for a new leader, one former Ontario MPP says the NDP should be looking south for inspiration: Zohran Mamdani. Joel Harden tells Yahoo Canada there is an appetite for policies similar to the New York City mayoral hopeful's here — Canadians just need to see a candidate embrace those ideas. 'Canadians are hungry for these ideas,' Harden said. 'They're hungry for a candidate and a campaign that can lead them to believe that if we vote for this, there's a good likelihood these things will happen.' Mamdani, 33, beat former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo after polling at just 2 per cent earlier in 2025. Mamdani will now be the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City. The democratic socialist is campaigning on policies like free transit, a $30 minimum wage, increased taxes on the super-rich, rent freezes and government-run grocery stores. Mamdani's underdog campaign was praised by Toronto Metropolitan University political science professor Bryan Evans, who told Yahoo Canada the reason Mamdani won was his focus on affordability, followed by a direct communication style that used humour effectively to connect with people. A team of about 50,000 volunteers also canvassed for Mamdani across New York. Cuomo was the favourite to win, despite not having a great track record as governor, including accusations of bullying, corruption, and sexual harassment. 'You add all that up… it's quite the remarkable achievement,' Evans said. Jared Walker: Mamdani ran 'relatable' campaign that resonated amid affordability crisis Former NDP speech writer and executive director of the non-profit Canadians for Tax Fairness, Jared Walker, told Yahoo Canada that Mamdani had an air of authenticity that other politicians have struggled to achieve. 'He's talking about affordability in a relatable way,' Walker said. '(It is) spoken by a messenger that is believable on the issue.' Walker said Mamdani's platform could just as easily work in Canada, and that all of his policies have at least been discussed at one point by the NDP. That makes the main lesson from his success how he communicated those policies and connected with voters, according to Walker. He admitted that the federal NDP could do a better job at those campaign elements, but attributed the party's poor showing in the last election to U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of making Canada the 51st state, which the Liberals were able to capitalize on. Praise for Mamdani from Ontario NDP leader: 'We're inspired' Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles congratulated Mamdani after his win in a post on X. 'What you've built goes far beyond New York City,' she said. 'You've captured the imagination of progressives everywhere with a blueprint for how we can win: with hope, with values, and with the belief that politics can be a force for good. We're watching — and we're inspired.' Could a Canadian Mamdani be victorious? But some political analysts suggested Mamdani was a tough sell as a mainstream politician given his democratic-socialist policies and years-long support for Palestine, often breaking with U.S. Democrats to call for a ceasefire and call out Israel's breaking of international law. Top Democrats still have not endorsed Mamdani. Former NDP MPP Sarah Jama was expelled from the party's caucus for a statement shortly after Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that was critical of Israel. In January 2025, Jama's application to run again as a member of the NDP was denied by party officials. She ran as an independent and lost. Jama was also censured by Ontario's legislature for wearing a keffiyeh in the hall, which was deemed political apparel and against a dress code. Harden, who also wore a keffiyeh in parliament and was ejected along with Jama, said it was a very difficult time but figures like Jama still have a future in politics. He praised how Mamdani has handled the issue, saying that he didn't fall into any political traps but stayed on message and was direct. Mamdani was also endorsed by Brad Lander, who was also running to be the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City. Lander is a progressive Jewish comptroller, and Harden says this helped show Mamdani had no animus toward Jewish New Yorkers. 'I think the world is ready for adult conversations that don't succumb to the gotcha politics and traps that some folks will lay,' Harden said. 'It is really important that everybody anywhere in the world can feel safe being who they are, can advocate for the things they believe without being smeared or mischaracterized.' Election data from New York City's mayoral Democratic primary showed a surge of young voters. Mamdani was clearly able to mobilize this demographic. New rules for the NDP's search for a new federal leader might have already taken notice. Signatures gathered by prospective leaders are now required to include at least 10 per cent from NDP members under 25 years of age.
New York Times
23-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
A Minnesota Mamdani? A Race for Mayor Has Echoes, but Only So Far.
He's a young democratic socialist with an immigrant story, a Muslim mayoral candidate who defeated the Democratic establishment in a recent intraparty contest. On the left and the right, the comparison has been irresistible: State Senator Omar Fateh of Minnesota, the argument goes, could be Minneapolis's version of Zohran Mamdani, the left-wing assemblyman from Queens whose victory in New York City's mayoral primary last month sent shock waves through the Democratic Party. 'From NYC to Minneapolis — change is coming!' declared the Twin Cities chapter of Democratic Socialists of America last weekend, after Mr. Fateh received the endorsement of the Minneapolis chapter of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Minnesota's version of the Democratic Party, at a chaotic gathering last weekend. The endorsement passed over Mayor Jacob Frey, 44, a two-term incumbent who has clashed with more left-wing members of the City Council. Mr. Frey's re-election campaign is among those challenging the D.F.L.'s endorsement. At every level of government, Democratic primaries are testing the ideological and stylistic mood of a party left adrift by its disastrous defeats last fall, with strategists and activists parsing Mr. Mamdani's stunning victory for early clues about voter sentiment ahead of next year's midterm elections. But while the Minneapolis mayor's race will offer another measure of Democratic attitudes around policing and affordability, as well as of the electorate's appetite for change, the parallels with New York City, beyond surface level, are limited so far. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Minneapolis Democrats endorse Somali-American socialist Omar Fateh for mayor just weeks after NYC branch chose '100% communist'
A Somali-American democratic socialist has clinched the Minneapolis mayoral endorsement just weeks after a '100% communist' was elected in New York City. Omar Fateh, a 35-year-old Minnesota state senator, won the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's endorsement for Minneapolis mayor on Saturday - an upset victory over two-term incumbent Jacob Frey that few saw coming, as reported by Axios. The win comes less than a month after 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani defeated New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary - a victory that prompted Donald Trump to brand him a '100 percent Communist lunatic.' 'I am incredibly honored to be the DFL endorsed candidate for Minneapolis Mayor,' Fateh wrote to X following the endorsement. 'This endorsement is a message that Minneapolis residents are done with broken promises, vetoes, and politics as usual. It's a mandate to build a city that works for all of us.' More than 1,000 party activists packed the Target Center on Saturday afternoon, where around 5pm, delegates cast their first mayoral endorsement votes via smartphone - launching a nearly two-hour vote tallying process by party officials. The suspense was palpable as attendees wondered if Frey - who led the city through the turbulent 2020 Black Lives Matter protests - would succeed in blocking the first Somali-American Muslim to serve in the state's senate. Mamdani's endorsement energized left-wing challengers, who celebrated the possibility of unseating Frey at the upcoming DFL convention - while others looked on with doubt and concern over the 'progressive uprising' in America's biggest cities. The potential shift in the nation's political landscape was on full display at this weekend's convention. Frey's supporters began abandoning the arena at about 9pm in protest, just as the results came in - Fateh had secured the endorsement. Not only did Fateh claim a seat at the mayoral table, but he also made history -becoming the Minneapolis DFL's first endorsement in a contested mayor's race since at least 1997, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. Fateh captured 43.8 percent of the roughly 577 delegate votes, while Frey trailed with 31.5 percent, as reported by Axios. The socialist candidate ultimately secured over 60 percent of delegate votes at the convention, despite vocal complaints from the Frey campaign over the fairness of the process. Chaos erupted as Frey's campaign officials challenged the results, claiming the party's online delegate voting system had allegedly malfunctioned - pointing to a suspiciously low number of recorded votes. 'This election should be decided by the entire city rather than the small group of people who became delegates, particularly in light of the extremely flawed and irregular conduct of this convention,' Frey campaign manager Sam Schulenberg said in a statement, according to the outlet. 'Voters will now have a clear choice between the records and leadership of Sen. Fateh and Mayor Frey. We look forward to taking our vision to the voters in November, he added. Fateh has drawn increased attention following Mamdani's stunning - and surprising - victory over Cuomo in Manhattan's Democratic mayoral primary. Some have even dubbed him the 'Mamdani of Minneapolis,' according to the Star Tribune. The parallels are hard to miss: both Fateh and Mamdani are in their 30s, Muslim, democratic socialists and state lawmakers focused on making their cities more affordable and equitable. However, their rise in the political spotlight hasn't come without backlash - from both online critics and prominent, well-known faces. Former New York Giants player Carter Coughlin launched a savage attack on Fateh following his endorsement on Sunday, claiming that his policies of rent control and raising minimum wage would set Minneapolis back years. He also debated Fateh's credibility to become mayor with some of his followers. 'In a city that has endured unimaginable destruction and racial tension, these policies would set Minneapolis back another 10 steps,' Coughlin wrote. 'MPLS (Minneapolis) needs rebuilding, and this will do the opposite. Pray for wisdom.' Nevertheless, Fateh took to the arena floor just after 10pm to claim victory, declaring, 'Today, we witnessed a rejection of politics as usual,' as reported by Axios. We know the status quo are going to do anything and everything to maintain power, he added. 'They'll have all the money in the world - but they don't have you.' Though the final decision won't come until November, one thing is clear: Minneapolis is signaling a readiness for change - and big cities could be sparking the start of a broader movement.
Fox News
19-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
NYC official warns businesses will flee 'in droves' if democratic socialist candidate wins mayoral race
New York City democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing harsh criticism from business owners and local officials in the Big Apple, some of whom warn his progressive platform could drive companies and the middle class out of the city. Councilwoman Vickie Paladino sounded the alarm during an appearance on "America Reports" Friday, claiming Mamdani's proposals would cripple the city's economy and send businesses packing. "We will lose businesses in droves," Paladino argued. "You got NASDAQ, you got Wall Street. They could work anywhere. They could work in Jersey, they could work in Connecticut. They don't need to be in Lower Manhattan." Paladino, a Republican representing parts of Queens, argued that Mamdani's democratic socialist agenda would send businesses fleeing to states with lower costs, such as neighboring New Jersey. One of Mamdani's most controversial proposals is a plan to launch government-run grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods. The 33-year-old state assemblyman, also from Queens, says the program would aim to combat food insecurity and bring down grocery prices. "As mayor, Zohran will create a network of city-owned grocery stores focused on keeping prices low, not making a profit," his campaign website states. "Without having to pay rent or property taxes, they will reduce overhead and pass on savings to shoppers." Supporters of Mamdani's proposal, often younger, more progressive Democrats, have pointed to the rising cost of groceries in the city. A study by SmartAsset, a financial advisory website, found that grocery prices in the New York metropolitan area increased by 3.3% between March 2024 and March 2025. This rise was among the highest in the nation, surpassed only by cities such as Honolulu, parts of Florida, and areas near San Diego, California. But not everyone is convinced this type of program could work in the nation's largest city. Gristedes Supermarkets CEO John Catsimatidis compared the plan to failed systems in communist regimes and threatened to close stores if Mamdani is elected. "You're going to end up like Havana," Catsimatidis told "America Reports" on Thursday. "I was there in Havana with Fidel Castro. The shelves were empty. He promised the world to the people. He says, 'Get rid of Batista, and things will be great.' Well, it was all one big lie." Fox News Digital reached out to the Mamdani campaign for comment on both criticisms. Paladino had similar concerns. She noted that New York has long been a refuge for immigrants fleeing communism and warned that Mamdani's platform could potentially hurt the Middle Class, especially if small businesses are pushed out. "We lose small business, we lose it all," she said. "We're [going to] lose middle-class people." The concerns over Mamdani's views are something Paladino argues has been brewing in the Democratic Party for some time, starting in schools. "They have been training and indoctrinating," she said. "Now the chickens have come home to roost, and guess what? The Democratic Party cannot control them." Mamdani's broader platform includes eliminating subway fares, offering free municipal housing and childcare, and ending all Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the city. He defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month in a stunning primary victory and secured the Democratic nomination. In November's general election, Mamdani could face Republican Curtis Sliwa, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and Cuomo, who remains on the ballot as an independent.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mamdani Talks ‘Intifada', Taxes in Grilling by Business Leaders
(Bloomberg) -- New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani told business leaders that he would begin to discourage the use of the phrase 'globalize the intifada' after being pressed on his views by Pfizer Inc. Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The Dutch Intersection Is Coming to Save Your Life Advocates Fear US Agents Are Using 'Wellness Checks' on Children as a Prelude to Arrests LA Homelessness Drops for Second Year Manhattan, Chicago Murder Rates Drop in 2025, Officials Say Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist who shocked New York City's business and political establishment by beating Andrew Cuomo in last month's Democratic mayoral primary, met Tuesday with about 100 business leaders from the Partnership for New York City. The group is a 350-member coalition of the city's largest banks and media companies as well as investment, real estate and law firms. The meeting, which came at Mamdani's request, is one of several scheduled this week between the Democratic nominee and the business community, which is grappling with the potential impact of Mamdani's leadership on the city. Mamdani campaigned on promises to freeze the rent on affordable housing, and fund free buses and government-run grocery stores with new taxes on corporations and high-earners. JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon last week criticized Mamdani and the Democratic reaction to his election, describing him as 'more of a Marxist than a socialist.' Bourla, whose grandparents perished at Auschwitz, moderated the event. Mamdani, an activist for Palestinian causes, has been criticized for refusing to denounce calls by anti-Israel protesters to 'globalize the intifada,' a reference to the armed Palestinian uprisings against Israel. Bourla in 2020 struck an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to use Israel as a test case for Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine. In Tuesday's meeting, Mamdani appeared to relent on the matter, the people said, saying he would discourage such language going forward. But on other subjects the Queens assemblyman held firm, reiterating his goals and brushing off concerns about higher taxes by saying wealthy New Yorkers would stay put regardless, the people said. Mamdani also said he'd consider, but wouldn't commit, to keeping Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the people said. Her father, Loews Corp. Chairman James Tisch, was at the meeting. Other attendees included Uber Technologies Inc. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Hearst Corp. CEO Steve Swartz, Related Cos CEO Jeff Blau, and Centerview Partners' co-founder Blair Effron, the people said. 'Zohran appreciated the meeting today, and felt it was a constructive, honest discussion,' Jeffrey Lerner, a spokesman for Mamdani's campaign, said in a statement. 'We look forward to the opportunity to build on this conversation, even in navigating disagreement on fiscal policy. Zohran continues to believe that working in partnership is the best way to deliver an affordable city for all New Yorkers.' Business leaders who attended the Tuesday event thought Mamdani was 'the most impressive candidate they have seen in generations,' Kathy Wylde, CEO of the coalition, said in an interview on CNBC Wednesday. But Wylde said Mamdani is 'clearly, totally inexperienced' and that she doesn't think the candidate changed the minds of city business leaders. Mamdani also told attendees he would examine the New York City Department of Education for waste and duplication, and that he would look to use the World Cup as an opportunity to build up city infrastructure. Mamdani has been making efforts to consolidate traditional institutions behind his candidacy ahead of November's mayoral race, which could prove unusually competitive in a heavily blue city where the Democratic nominee has been all but assured of victory in recent elections. He will face off against four other candidates: incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, former governor Cuomo, and attorney Jim Walden — all of whom are running as independents — as well as Republican Curtis Sliwa. President Donald Trump, who has described Mamdani as a 'communist lunatic,' said this week that Cuomo should stay in the race, even after losing by more than 12 percentage points to Mamdani in the primary. --With assistance from Aysha Diallo. (Updates with comments by Partnership for New York City CEO in 10th paragraph) Forget DOGE. Musk Is Suddenly All In on AI How Starbucks Is Engineering a Turnaround With Warm Vibes and Cold Foams How Hims Became the King of Knockoff Weight-Loss Drugs Thailand's Changing Cannabis Rules Leave Farmers in a Tough Spot The New Third Rail in Silicon Valley: Investing in Chinese AI ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
