NY Dem Rep Suozzi Says Mamdani Taps Into Same Economic Anxiety As Trump

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and former Gov. David Paterson have highlighted striking similarities between Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and former President Donald Trump, noting both successfully tapped into economic anxiety and concerns about affordability among voters. Suozzi, a self-described 'Democratic capitalist,' emphasized that while he disagrees with Mamdani's and Trump's solutions, Democrats should learn from their ability to diagnose and address voters' frustrations with the economy. He warned that the Democratic Party is often perceived as prioritizing social issues over economic concerns, which may alienate middle-class and aspiring middle-class voters. Paterson echoed this sentiment by comparing Mamdani's campaign energy, populist appeal, and willingness to confront opponents to Trump's 2016 run, suggesting such tactics are proving difficult for traditional candidates to counter. Both leaders argue that Democrats must better communicate their economic vision across modern media platforms and focus on bread-and-butter issues if they hope to regain trust and electoral success. Mamdani's rise, according to Suozzi, should serve as a 'loud wake-up call' for Democrats to address economic anxiety head-on.