Mamdani’s election was a “game changer”, Isserman said. NYC-DSA’s wins – both last November, with Mamdani’s election, and last week, when all but one of the candidates backed by the chapter prevailed – indicate that the chapter “has indeed become the left wing of the possible”, he said.
“It has proven again that it’s serious, it’s capable, it runs a great ground game, it’s attracting young and talented candidates and organizers,” added Isserman. “It’s really a model for a future American left.”
Governing – as opposed to finding themselves always in the opposition, where the left has historically remained – will also be a good experience for democratic socialists, he suggested, pointing to Mamdani’s early wins and ability to build support for his policies as a roadmap.
“One thing about actually governing is that it’s very different than simply being an echo chamber with your 20 closest comrades and trying to please them,” said Isserman. “It’s going to be a maturing experience for a generation of young socialists.”…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/01/mamdani-new-york-democratic-socialist
