The reluctance to support Mamdani’s candidacy stems largely from the fact that he is an open and unapologetic democratic socialist. Rather than embracing that identity and using it to educate the public about what democratic socialists actually stand for, many Democrats continue to look for a way to back the candidacies of deeply flawed figures like incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 in the face of a barrage of sexual harassment allegations.
If Democrats, Democrat-leaning independents and even moderate Republicans took time to examine the core beliefs held by democratic socialists, they would find them closely aligned with many of their own aspirations for a more affordable and equitable life. These ideals include fair and free elections, universal health care, paid family and medical leave, strong labor unions and livable wages, racial and social justice, and environmental sustainability.
Of course, implementing such policies would require rethinking and reprioritizing spending at every level of government. But who, other than the ultra-wealthy, would truly lose if we built a fairer system? It’s time to confront the reality that structural inequities are baked into our economy. If we fail to act, the middle class will continue to erode and life will remain unaffordable for millions.
In defining what democratic socialism is — and what it isn’t — its advocates should point to successful examples from around the world. While not defining themselves as socialist, countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland embrace many of these principles, combining mixed-market economies with high standards of living and robust democratic institutions. These Scandinavian societies enjoy low levels of poverty, crime, incarceration and homelessness. While tax rates may be higher, their citizens benefit from excellent health care, education and other basic services that make those taxes worthwhile.
I’ve seen firsthand what the lack of such a system can mean for ordinary Americans. My own brother recently battled prostate cancer, and his employer-provided insurance didn’t cover all the costs. He nearly went bankrupt trying to pay the difference out of pocket. For him, access to adequate health care wasn’t a political talking point — it was a matter of survival. He would have fared much better under a system like democratic socialism that prioritized individual health over profit.
The task of defining democratic socialism and debunking the conspiracy theories and outright lies about it remains daunting. Right-wing figures have long conflated it with Marxism, authoritarianism and Soviet-style communism — smears that moderate Democrats have failed to push back against. Remember that Republicans routinely branded President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris as socialists. Democrats have been woefully inadequate in defining their own values or controlling the narrative. The 2024 election should have been a wake-up call.
I believe that if he is elected in November, Mamdani could be successful in office. I was once a young progressive public official, deeply committed to similar values. I leveraged local government to push for jobs programs, housing reform, domestic partner benefits and other progressive initiatives. I succeeded, in part, because I built relationships across the political spectrum, as Mamdani is attempting to do by, for example, reaching out to the city’s apprehensive business community. I explained my policies clearly and made the case that they were both responsible and necessary. I also educated my constituents about the benefits and costs associated with the reforms.
If today’s Democratic leaders are too timid or unwilling to explain and embrace the ideals of democratic socialism, then perhaps the time has come for a third party. Led by figures like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani, this party — whatever it might be called — would unapologetically stand for working- and middle-class Americans. It could shake up the political landscape and force both major parties to refocus on the needs of everyday people — not just corporate donors and special interests.
Governing’s opinion columns reflect the views of their authors and not necessarily those of Governing’s editors or management.
