I’ve been visiting New York for the better part of 20 years as a political consultant, on my way to and from election campaigns elsewhere in the United States. Being there for the historic NY mayoral elections this week, I was struck by how abuzz the city was with political energy – not seen since Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign.

Mayoral races usually pass unnoticed – yet this one gripped the nation: a contest between the old and new Democratic party, embodied by former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and first-term Queens councillor Zohran Mamdani.

The race dominated headlines since the improbable rise of Mamdani, a self-described Democratic Socialist, and Cuomo’s shock defeat in the Democratic primary. More than US$90m was spent by candidates and super Pacs – the most expensive race for Gracie Mansion in New York history.

So what lessons are there in Mamdani’s win for strategists here in Australia?

To examine........

© The Guardian