Khanna says Democrats should learn from Mamdani’s focus on ‘affordability’ – Washington Examiner
In a recent discussion, Rep. Ro khanna (D-CA) emphasized that the Democratic Party should draw lessons from the campaign strategies of Zohran Mamdani, a socialist who successfully won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor in 2025. Khanna noted that MamdaniS success stemmed from his strong focus on affordability and economic issues, which resonated with voters. Despite controversies surrounding some of Mamdani’s statements, Khanna defended him by highlighting that voters embraced his platform that prioritized pocketbook concerns.
Khanna believes that by concentrating on the economy and affordability, the Democratic Party can effectively reach and mobilize voters. He also addressed critics of Mamdani, suggesting that the lessons from his campaign could help inform the party’s broader strategy moving forward, notably against the backdrop of economic messaging strategies from opponents like former President Trump’s initiatives. In this context, Khanna’s remarks reflect a potential shift in focus for the Democratic Party, emphasizing a need to engage directly with the financial concerns of constituents.
Khanna says Democrats should learn from Mamdani’s focus on ‘affordability’
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) contended that the Democratic Party ought to take notes from the campaign of mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, suggesting a key aspect of his campaign could be the strategy to win back voters.
Mamdani, a socialist who won the Democratic Party’s primary in the 2025 New York City mayoral election, has dodged condemning the phrase “globalize the intifada” or threats to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. When Khanna was asked if Mamdani’s issues are welcome in the Democratic Party, the lawmaker argued Mamdani won his primary due to his “laser-focus on affordability.”
“Now, of course, I condemn ‘globalize the intifada,’” Khanna said on Fox News Sunday with Shannon Bream. “I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel, he’s the leader of Israel. I disagree with him, but of course I met with him and I believe Israel has the right to exist as a secure Jewish democratic state. But people who are attacking Mamdani are missing why he won. He was talking about pocketbook issues, he mobilized a lot of people, and that’s ultimately the lesson for the Democratic Party: focus on the economy, focus on affordability, focus on good jobs, focus on healthcare.”
Khanna was then asked if Mamdani’s views on certain issues disqualify him from positions in the Democratic Party, to which Khanna argued “the people voted for him.” Going forward, Khanna suggested the Democratic Party is “very capable” of delivering a “strong economic message,” saying that President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will be a “key issue.”
Ex-MSNBC host Joy Reid has argued Mamdani won his primary election due to voters embracing “a version of socialism” amid “pure fascism.” She added that voters are tired of “tepid” politics from Democratic lawmakers and instead want “something equally extreme.”
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Shortly after Mamdani’s victory, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson declared his city a “sanctuary city from socialism.” He has also invited people to move to his city, claiming “Common sense and the American Dream” reside in it.
Ahead of New York City’s general election, hedge fund manager Bill Ackman announced on X that he is backing current Mayor Eric Adams against Mamdani. Ackman explained that he met with both Adams and Democratic candidate Andrew Cuomo, and said the latter candidate is “not up for the fight,” whereas Adams is “ready to go to battle.”
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