How DSA Built Zohran Mamdani's Electoral Machine

""I started believing when Zohran gave his speech at the Church of the Village," Kareem Elrefai told me. On June 24, the night it became clear that Zohran Mamdani would win the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City, Elrefai was beaming and sweating among the more than 100 Mamdani supporters packed into Boyfriend Co-op, a small bar in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn."

"Two days later, on the phone, the conversation was quieter, but Elrefai was just as euphoric. A 28-year-old member of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and an elected leader of DSA's National Political Committee, Elrefai explained that like so many others, he did not initially believe that Mamdani would win the primary."

"Mamdani, after all, had little name recognition beyond his Assembly district in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens; he is also a Muslim in a city that had never elected one as mayor, a self-described democratic socialist, and a critic of Israel. At first he faced a crowded field that included the scandal-ridden incumbent, Eric Adams."

Zohran Mamdani secured the Democratic primary for New York City mayor amid surprise and jubilation from grassroots supporters. Hundreds of supporters celebrated in Brooklyn on June 24 after his victory became clear. A speech at the Church of the Village proved pivotal in inspiring belief among young progressive activists. The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America had endorsed Mamdani despite doubts about his electability. Mamdani entered the race with limited citywide name recognition, faced prominent opponents, and is notable as a Muslim, a self-described democratic socialist, and a critic of Israel.

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