A Socialist New NYC? Nikki Haley for 2028?

Jun 29, 2025

33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani just defeated 66-year-old Democratic heavyweight Andrew Cuomo in the NYC primary. He is now just one step away from becoming mayor of the world’s most iconic city. Tectonic shifts are underway. But is this good news? Or a brewing storm? Let's take a closer look.

Three questions: Why are so many New Yorkers turning to socialism right now? Has Clinton’s "Third Way" reached its end? And how will Republicans use this moment to reshape the 2026 midterms and aim for the White House in 2028?

The Rise of Mamdani

Born in 1991 in Uganda, Mamdani immigrated to the U.S. at age 7. His father is a noted Columbia professor, his mother an Indian-American filmmaker. He became a U.S. citizen in 2018, and won a seat in the New York State Assembly in 2020. A proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), he campaigns on a platform of affordability: rent control, public childcare, municipal supermarkets, affordable housing, free public transit, climate justice, and immigrant protections. Young voters, workers, and marginalized communities have rallied behind him.

With endorsements from Bernie Sanders and AOC, Mamdani’s path mirrors that of other progressive upstarts. But this is no longer just a primary fight. In the general election, he faces Cuomo, current Mayor Eric Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and others.

The Five-Way Race

Recent polls show Mamdani and Cuomo neck-and-neck around 40%, Adams lagging at 11%, and Republicans even further behind. The real race? A three-way battle within the Democratic Party.

Cuomo, son of a former governor and three-term governor himself, resigned amid scandals involving sexual harassment and COVID data cover-ups. But now he's staging a comeback, positioning himself as the "adult in the room."

Adams, once seen as a pragmatic reformer, has been engulfed by corruption scandals. He's been federally indicted, and though he denies all charges, his support has cratered. His downfall could become the deciding factor in the race.

A Party Divided

Top New York Democrats like Gov. Hochul, Sen. Schumer, and Rep. Jeffries have congratulated Mamdani—but stopped short of endorsing him. The party is torn: embrace the socialist energy, or resist it? In 2016, the DNC blocked Bernie Sanders, only to see many disillusioned progressives protest-vote for Trump. Could history repeat itself?

The left wing sees Mamdani as the future. The center fears alienating moderates and swing voters, risking not only the mayoralty but national seats.

A Symbol and a Threat

To the right, Mamdani is a dream target. Trump calls him "a total communist lunatic." Conservative media paint him as the face of a radical left takeover. Republicans anticipate that painting Democrats as “DSA socialists” will help them flip suburban districts and block a House comeback in 2026.

But DSA is socialist, not communist. The organization embraces democratic elections, civil liberties, and peaceful reform. Still, its red banner (not GOP red, but coral, vermilion, and crimson) stands out starkly. Many see the Clinton-Biden centrist coalition as fading—a sunset red.

Whether Mamdani wins or narrowly loses, the rise of socialism is reshaping American politics. But is the U.S. really ready for a socialist mayor? Or a post-capitalist vision?

Haley Rising?

Ironically, both Mamdani and Trumpism channel anti-establishment anger. One rails against capital; the other against the elite. Together, they squeeze the center from both sides. Steve Bannon rallies the poor against the rich. So does Bernie. And in 2016 and 2024, DSA divisions arguably helped elect Trump.

Some hope Mamdani’s surge spells the end of the centrist Democrats. But it's too soon to bury them. Gavin Newsom, Josh Shapiro, Gretchen Whitmer, Roy Cooper, Andy Beshear, Pete Buttigieg—all represent a pragmatic liberal core.

And on the Republican side? Enter Nikki Haley.

Haley 2028？

She’s the only GOP candidate who ever beat Trump in a primary. A woman, child of immigrants, Southern governor, UN ambassador, foreign policy pro. She backed Trump after losing the 2024 primary, consolidating party unity without burning bridges like Liz Cheney.

She’s not extreme, not MAGA, not socialist. She’s measured, secular, professional, scandal-free. A Reagan-style conservative for a post-Trump era.

Haley could appeal to suburban women, Asian and Latino moderates, disillusioned centrists—especially anti-Trump but also anti-left independents. She’s not the lesser evil. She might be the “better choice.”

Could America elect its first female president in 2028? The UK never had a female Liberal PM, but three Tory ones. Could the U.S. follow suit—with its first woman president from the conservative camp?

I’m Feng Ming. Like, subscribe, and share. See you next time.

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