Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has been in touch with Chicago’s left-wing mayor Brandon Johnson — a political figure many Chicagoans now view as a cautionary tale for other cities.
According to documents reviewed by the Chicago Sun-Times, Mamdani reached out to Johnson on July 11 by text message to set up a phone conversation.
“Hi Mayor Johnson, this is Zohran Mamdani. I just called, looking forward to chatting,” Mamdani wrote in the message, the paper reported.
A source from Mamdani’s team told The NY Post the call lasted six minutes and was simply Johnson congratulating the Queens assemblyman on his primary win earlier in the summer. The insider emphasized that endorsements were not part of the discussion.
Johnson, who has faced scathing criticism over his leadership in Chicago, has often been likened to Mamdani because of their shared progressive agendas.
Editorials have hammered Johnson as “America’s worst mayor,” with critics citing ballooning deficits and unfulfilled promises that have left Chicago struggling.
Back in June, the Chicago Tribune issued a blunt warning to New Yorkers, urging them to think carefully before electing Mamdani to City Hall.
“A familiar dilemma: a moderate, business-friendly Democrat versus a democratic socialist. New Yorkers, take it from Chicago — we’ve seen this movie before, and the ending isn’t pretty,” the paper’s editorial board wrote.
It added that “Johnson’s approval rating cratered in his second year — a reflection of how quickly progressive promises collapsed under the weight of governance and Chicago’s financial reality. What sounded good in theory has translated into dysfunction, driven by fiscal missteps and political inexperience.”
The editorial also noted parallels between the two politicians, pointing out that Mamdani’s proposals — such as rent freezes, government-run grocery stores, and free public transit — align with Johnson’s platform and resonate with liberal voters in big cities.
“Johnson is one of the most progressive mayors in the U.S., but Mamdani, inarguably, is yet more radical,” the Tribune stated.
Some Chicago residents who once backed Johnson say they regret their choice and caution New Yorkers not to repeat it.
“What I would say to New Yorkers is do your homework. You have to know who you are supporting, who you are voting for, so people of New York don’t walk around feeling the way I do,” said Cata Truss, a Johnson supporter who later became disillusioned with his leadership. “I have buyer’s remorse in a way that I’ve never had before.”
A representative for Johnson’s campaign also confirmed to the Sun-Times that the call was made to congratulate Mamdani and extend best wishes for his campaign.
{Matzav.com}
