The Brian Lehrer Show The NYC Communities That Powered Mamdani's Win
Jun 27, 2025
S. Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL Media and an experienced journalist, dissects the surprising electoral triumph of Zohran Mamdani, fueled largely by South Asian voters. She discusses the vital role of grassroots campaigning and social media in engaging younger voters. Kalita highlights the unique dynamics of marginalized communities and their influence on local politics. The conversation also touches on the critical issues of affordability and living costs in NYC, revealing what voters truly demand from their representatives.
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Queens Political Machine Challenged
- Queens political races have traditionally been controlled by an infamous machine influencing election outcomes.
- Mamdani's victory showed such entrenched systems can be upset with the right approach and energy.
Social Media Amplifies Grassroots Efforts
- Social media on its own does not win elections but is powerful for name recognition.
- Mamdani's video skills and consistent affordability messaging leveraged social media effectively alongside grassroots organizing.
Voter Turnaround from Doubt to Support
- Celso, a Latino voter from Queens, was initially doubtful but convinced by Mamdani's stand against inequality and rejection of big donors.
- He highlighted struggles with rent, bills, and homelessness pushing many voters toward Mamdani's hopeful message.