American voters have expressed their opinion during the New York City mayoral election, which resulted in the victory of Zohran Mamdani, but what messages and implications do these elections carry? The elections held on November 4th will have consequences for how Minneapolis, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia are managed, as well as for electricity prices in Georgia and the Supreme Court in Pennsylvania. Moreover, these elections were the first real test of whether voters, when they chose to return Donald Trump to the White House last November, truly hoped for a second term for the president. Overall, Democrats performed better than expected, but one good night will not solve the party's ongoing problems. Let's start with New York, where a 34-year-old political novice will take over a budget of $117 billion when he takes office next year. The high voter turnout indicates enthusiasm for Zohran Mamdani and his socialist leanings. This is a major victory for the anti-elitist left wing of the party. Democrats who believe the solution to Trump's problem is left-wing economic populism now have a new hero, but Mamdani's victory does not answer how Democrats can oppose Trump or how they can regain power nationally. This is because Democratic presidential candidates win in New York City no matter what, and none of them have lost there since John Davis's defeat to Calvin Coolidge in 1924. Virginia and New Jersey, where gubernatorial elections were held, are the best places for Democrats to look for inspiration. Abigail Spanberger won in Virginia, and the result was not surprising. The last time a Republican won a state governor's office with a Republican in the White House was in 1973. However, the 15-point margin was larger than expected, and the same applies to New Jersey, where polls showed Mickey Sherrill defeated Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli within the margin of error, and ultimately she won easily. This broke a streak dating back to 1961, the last time a candidate won the office after the incumbent from the same party served two consecutive terms. Some Democrats will look at all this and conclude that the New York City mayoral election shows voters are excited about the policies of the party's far-left wing, that the Democratic Party is in a better position than experts think, and that next year's midterm election may already be won, and they will be wrong. Here, an important question arises: what are the correct lessons? First, focus on the economy and cost of living, as Mamdani, Sherrill, and Spanberger all did. Second, choose candidates who fit the places they are running in; Spanberger worked at the CIA before entering politics, and Sherrill served as a helicopter pilot in the Navy, each a testament to patriotism that helps counter Republican attacks on Democrats hating America. Third, do not run as an establishment defender in an era of turmoil. New Yorkers may not want socialism, and Mamdani will be severely constrained by city, state, and financial laws to give it to them. As was the case a year ago, these elections were less an endorsement of a program than another expression of frustration. Dealing a blow to the president, after a year of introspection, will give Democrats comfort as they look ahead to next year's midterm elections, but when that fades, they will still face the same problems. Their party is tied to policies on immigration, climate change, and race, which are far from the opinions of voters they need to win power nationally. By choosing a democratic socialist as one of their leaders, Democrats have only worsened the problem; Mamdani's inspiring campaign made New Yorkers feel good, but his victory may make Republican strategists feel better.
