The ascent of New York City mayoral primary winner Zohran Mamdani has unexpectedly drawn parallels to the early tenure of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, whose challenges are now being closely observed as a potential cautionary tale for progressive governance in major urban centers.
Johnson’s two years in office have garnered significant negative scrutiny, particularly from outlets like The Wall Street Journal, prompting Mamdani’s campaign to actively monitor Chicago’s political landscape. Sources close to both teams indicate a deliberate effort by Mamdani’s camp to learn from Johnson’s missteps and avoid similar pitfalls in New York.
While Johnson is not the sole progressive mayor in the nation—with figures like Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu often cited as a role model by Mamdani—Chicago’s unique political climate and deeply entrenched issues present a distinct set of hurdles. These challenges, however, offer valuable insights into the complexities Mamdani might face should he assume New York’s top office.
Chicago Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor, a key Johnson ally, noted how critics readily apply the “socialism” label to attribute blame for systemic urban problems to Johnson. This phenomenon, she warns, is a political tactic Mamdani could similarly encounter, highlighting a broader ideological battle against progressive agendas.
Both Johnson and Mamdani ascended to prominence from backgrounds outside traditional political machines, with Johnson having been a county commissioner, teacher, and union organizer. However, an individual close to both campaigns observed a difference in their approaches, describing Mamdani as “pragmatic” and success-oriented, contrasting with Johnson’s perceived occasional inflexibility.
The importance of effective governance and assembling a competent team was further emphasized by Illinois Representative Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who ran in Chicago’s 2023 mayoral election. Garcia stressed the critical need for progressive leaders to balance ideological promises with practical governing, including building strong stakeholder relationships and fostering intergovernmental cooperation.
Johnson’s tenure has been marked by significant battles, from a contentious teachers’ contract negotiation that, despite avoiding a strike, led to political reprisal, to the divisive issue of housing migrants bused into Chicago. Critics, including William Daley, son and brother of former Chicago mayors, attributed some of Johnson’s difficulties to a perceived lack of experience in managing large budgets and extensive workforces, a concern that could also apply to Mamdani.
Despite these challenges, Johnson’s administration has achieved notable successes, particularly in public safety. His selection of Superintendent Larry Snelling and the implementation of new policing strategies have been largely praised, contributing to a significant two-year reduction in murders and shootings, with official data indicating substantial drops in violent crime. This record provides a counter-narrative against claims of unpopularity, which Johnson’s office attributes to politically motivated opposition.
