Mamdani says Democrats must keep their “foot on the gas” after midterm victories

November 4, 2026 / 7:08 PM EST / CBS News

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani — one of the most influential members of the Democratic Party's leftward flank — said Wednesday that "this country has elected a new generation of leadership" in the midterms, and the left must now keep its "foot on the gas."

"Going through yesterday evening, it's a realization that it's a new dawn in America," Mamdani told reporters.

Mamdani suggested that Democrats' decisive wins in the House and Senate mean the party "can go from being on the defensive to being on the offensive."

"The defensive means trying to prevent as many New Yorkers as possible from losing their SNAP benefits or losing their health insurance," Mamdani said, taking aim at the Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cut back some of those programs.

"The offensive is delivering to make life more affordable for them," continued Mamdani, whose platform is centered on lowering costs for New Yorkers.

Democrats last won a majority in the Senate in 2022. This time around, the party has flipped at least seven Republican-held seats, some of which are in deep-red territory. The party also flipped dozens of House districts.

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/