Will Republicans Use Mamdani as a National Bogeyman?

Election night is back in the US and this time around there’s a lot more for the Democrats to cheer about after the party’s rising star, Zohran Mamdani, won the New York City mayoral election and will become the first Muslim mayor of the biggest city in America.

The 34-year-old led his party to victory on the back of pledges to tax millionaires to pay for expanded social programmes and said that New York could be the “light” in a moment of “political darkness”. President Donald Trump has responded to Mamdani’s victory by writing on social media that the government shutdown and his name not being on the ballot were the reasons why the Democrats won.

But with Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill also winning their governors races in Virginia and New Jersey, there is a renewed sense of hope within the party that this could mark a turning point after the 2024 presidential election.

Justin, Sarah and Marianna assess whether the Democrats will be able to capitalise on their success, and how the Republican Party might respond.

HOSTS: * Sarah Smith, North America Editor * Justin Webb, Radio 4 Presenter * Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent

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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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