Zohran! (w/ Waleed Shahid) [Teaser]

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Jul 11, 2025

Explore the remarkable rise of Zohran Mamdani, the young democratic socialist who triumphed in New York's mayoral primary. His campaign's innovative strategies successfully energized young voters, contrasting sharply with the negativity surrounding rival Andrew Cuomo. Discover insights into the challenges Zohran faced, including Islamophobic attacks and accusations of antisemitism linked to his advocacy. Plus, hear from veteran campaign strategist Waleed Shahid about the unique qualities that set Zohran apart as a candidate and an advocate for progressive values.

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ANECDOTE

Sam's Early Impression of Zohran

Sam Adler-Bell met Zohran Mamdani three years ago and found him extremely charming and well-spoken.
Zohran had a deep socialist vision yet communicated it accessibly to non-socialists.

INSIGHT

Zohran's Communication Strength

Zohran Mamdani excels as a communicator, especially under attack in debates and press conferences.
His articulate and poised manner contrasts with how Democratic establishment figures have reacted to him.

INSIGHT

Mismatch with Democratic Establishment

Zohran's focus on affordability and engaging young voters fits the exact profile Democrats claim to want.
Yet many in the party have not rallied around his candidacy despite his strengths.

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We don't do too many New York City-focused episodes on Know Your Enemy, but Zohran Mamdani's decisive win in the Democratic mayoral primary last month certainly warrants this one. The thirty-three year old democratic socialist, state assemblyman, and Muslim of Indian descent born in Uganda, ended up running away with it, defeating the runner-up, former governor and sex pest Andrew Cuomo, by over ten points—and, when all the ballots finally were counted, set a record by receiving the most votes of any candidate for mayor in a Democratic primary in the city's history.

Our format in this episode is a little different. In the first half, your podcast co-hosts lay out the basics of Zohran's victory, from Zohran's biography to the final tallies to our impressions of the candidate and his message. In the second half, we're joined by veteran progressive campaign strategist Waleed Shahid to get more of an insider's take on Zohran's achievement: the campaign's stunningly effective turnout operation, which brought out young voters in droves; how he withstood the disgusting way he was attacked as an anti-semite for his protesting Israel's genocide in Gaza; the substance of his pitch to New Yorkers, and it's contrast with Cuomo's uninspiring, mostly negative campaign; the deranged Islamophobic attacks on Zohran since he became the Democratic nominee, and not only from the right; the role of current NYC comptroller and a progressive, Jewish candidate in the race, Brad Lander, who cross-endorsed Zohran, refused to punch left, and joyfully campaigned with Zohran in the final weeks leading up to the election; and more!

Sources:

Waleed Shahid, "How Broadcast Media Covered Zohran Mamdani's Win," Waleed's Substack, July 3, 2025

Matthew Miles Goodrich, "It's...the Politics of No Translation," Something Different, July 2, 2025

Sam Adler-Bell, "Can DSA Go the Distance?" Dissent, Fall 2022

John Cassidy, "The Case for Zohranomics," The New Yorker, June 30, 2025

David Wallace, "10 Ways of Making Sense of Zohran Mamdani’s Win," New York Times, July 2, 2025.

Nicholas Fandos, Benjamin Oreskes, Emma G. Fitzsimmons, & Jeffery C. Mays, "How Zohran Mamdani Stunned New York and Won the Primary for Mayor," New York Times, July 1, 2025