New York politics has always been outsized, sharp-elbowed, dramatic. This week, it became worthy of a Broadway production.

Eric Adams, the incumbent Democratic mayor, grew so unpopular among his own base that he decided not even to bother running in the primary. His character arc took him from an avowed opponent of President Trump to pro-Trump in the face of a six-count indictment, which was dropped by the Justice Department in a remarkable coincidence.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo jumped into the race and quickly crowded out all other contenders on the center-left with his massive fundraising. Meanwhile, Zohran Mamdani, a naturally talented, telegenic and young campaigner, energized by popular frustration with mainstream politics, consolidated the left-wing of the Democratic base.

It is “Man of LaMancha” meets “All The Kings Men.”

The shocking finale: A democratic socialist just won the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. Mamdani is now in the driver’s seat.

For many centrist Democrats, Mamdani, in vastly surpassing even optimistic pre-election projections, presents a shock to the system. But politicians and pundits should extrapolate national conclusions........

© The Hill