Is Hochul Vulnerable in 2026?

The New Yorker staff writer Eric Lach joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayoral race, and what his time in office might look like. They talk about some of his early appointments to his administration and how his ambitious agenda may be at odds with other wings of the Democratic Party. They also look at how members of both parties are interpreting Mamdani’s win, and how the new mayor might respond to President Donald Trump’s threats to withhold federal funds from the city. 

This week’s reading:

• “The Mamdani Era Begins,” by Eric Lach
• “Did Democrats Win the Shutdown After All?,” by Jon Allsop
• “Laura Loomer’s Endless Payback,” by Antonia Hitchens
• “In Gaza, Home Is Just a Memory,” by Mohammed R. Mhawish
• “The Mess at the BBC Will Never End,” by Sam Knight

Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts. 

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