Image via abc7.com

I was nervous to see which candidates would come out on top in important races in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, as well as in the smaller elections held across the country on November 4. I did not want to get my hopes up, even though various polls had Democratic candidates winning these elections, to avoid being disappointed in the end.

To my surprise, the Democrats pulled off a historic sweep, winning key races even in traditionally red states such as Mississippi and Georgia. From Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger to New York Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, the Democrats have a lot to be proud of at this current moment. With this in mind, is it possible that Americans are starting to approve of the Democratic Party? Can the Democrats continue this momentum heading into the 2026 midterm election? We will see what the party has up its sleeves in the coming months, but there are some key takeaways from this 2025 election.

Zohran Mamdani: Newest Star of the Democratic Party?

34-year-old Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, ran a campaign focused on affordability, such as universal childcare, a rent freeze, and free buses. His platforms demonstrate that bold, people-centered ideas are not only resonating but gaining real traction in big cities like New York.

What stood out about Mamdani’s campaign was his ability to connect with young voters and working-class communities who often feel ignored by traditional politicians. In fact, according to the CIRCLE website, 75% of the voters between the ages of 18-29 voted for Mamandi.

Through community events, social media outreach, and a people-focused campaign, he tapped into the same kind of energy that once allowed politicians such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the pathway to become a member of the United States House of Representatives. When all of the votes were counted, it was reported that Mamandi won more than one million votes, and this kind of number has not been seen since John V. Lindsay in 1969.

Screenshot of the New York 2025 Mayoral election results via The New York Times.

Whether he was campaigning at a nightclub or simply enjoying one of his favorite restaurants in New York City, Mamandi has definitely made a name for himself. While I am skeptical of his plans for free buses, I would rather have a candidate tell me HOW she or he are going to achieve their goals. It is better than just hearing a campaign promise. It is easy to say something, but actually doing the work is a completely different ball game.

However, I want to be proven wrong, and I want him to fulfill the promises he made during his campaign. No matter what you think of Mamdani and his plans, it is nice to see a change of ideas from the newest generation of leaders. The status quo can only get people so far, but it is time to try something new.

New York Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani is thanking his supporters during his victory speech on election night. Image via ibtimes.com

Hottest New Word: Affordability

While grocery prices and the cost of living have increased significantly, I have noticed that both the Democratic and Republican parties love to talk to their supporters about how they are going to make life easier for their supporters However, if there is anything that last Tuesday’s election has taught Democrats (even Republicans) is that affordability should not be treated as a campaign talking point or a one-off slogan, but as a main policy priority. Voters did not just reward Democrats last Tuesday because of a party or personality. Instead, the people chose who they felt spoke to them directly about how, as a candidate, they could improve their lives.

As mentioned previously, Mamdani ran explicitly on affordability measures such as universal childcare, rent freezes, and even free buses – a message that resonated strongly in New York City, which is an expensive place to live in the United States. Likewise, in Virginia, Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger wants to “build an economy where every Virginian can earn a good living, afford to take care of their families, and know they will have a secure retirement.” Overall, when a candidate runs on issues that both political parties can agree on, they potentially will have an easier time connecting with voters. However, this depends on how effectively the candidate frames their message and whether voters believe it will lead to real change.

Don’t Poke the Bear!

Another big win for the Democrats occurred in California when Governor Gavin Newsom’s Prop 50 was passed. Prop 50, also known as “The Election Rigging Response Act,” would target five Republican California districts to give the Democratic Party the five seats that were taken away from them. Proposition 50 was created in response when Texas Governor Greg Abbot signed a redistricting bill that would allow the Republican Party to gain an additional five seats in preparation for the 2026 midterm elections. It is important to note that the new California map under Prop 50 would only impact the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections. While I agree that there should be an Independent Redistricting Committee in all states, I do not believe that one party should cheat its way to maintain power. This idea applies even to the Democrats, but there are times when they need to respond strategically when others act unfairly.

Overall, even though the Democrats had a great night last Tuesday, they have to find ways to continue this momentum heading into the 2026 midterm election and beyond. If they want to take back the House and the Senate, then they are going to have to treat their supporters as more than just a source of donations or votes. They need to treat them as real people whose concerns matter.

Yet, the recent news of eight Democratic Senators siding with Republican Senators to open the government without a guarantee of extending the ACA tax credits raises questions about whether the party can maintain the trust of its supporters.

Acknowledgment: The ideas expressed in this article are those of the individual author.