Democrats are riding the political rollercoaster with white knuckles as new candidates like Mamdani come barreling onto the scene. Picture this: a Democrat Socialist primed and ready to make waves in New York’s City Council race. It’s got veteran Democrats rather squirmy. Republican Congressman Mike Lawler certainly isn’t letting this slide. He’s challenging Democrats to pick sides—are they with the hardworking folks who crave sensible governance, or are they endorsing the more radical, progressive agenda of candidates like Mamdani? No ducking for cover here, folks. It’s a clear call-out.

Then there’s Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, ever-so-skillfully dodging the Mamdani endorsement question like it’s a flying dodgeball. She’s steering the conversation over to Donald Trump—always a juicy distraction, isn’t it? But while she’s busy deflecting, rest assured, her fellow Democrats are likely behind the scenes having mild panic attacks about this potential socialist wave. The big question is, where does this endorsement take the party? Not to victory lane, by most estimates.

Democrats are faced with a potential Mamdani-sized pothole on their road to reclaiming power in the House. Given that only a small fraction of the country identifies with the very liberal or progressive left, Democrats should be concerned. While the coastal hubs like New York and California welcome this crowd, the rest of the country may not be so inviting. And New Jersey? Not exactly haven for radical, big-city ideas. The middle of the country will likely balk at such policies, causing Democrats to tread lightly—if they can manage it.

Mamdani’s grand plan supposedly revolves around affordability. We see banners flying proudly, promising affordable housing in a city where rent prices would give most people an anxiety attack. But his methods paint another picture: rent control and capping rents. Sounds like a charm until you consider housing investors fleeing in droves and new developments become fairy tales. It’s perplexing how candidates don’t see the writing on the wall—or the important memo that this method doesn’t work.

For Mamdani, free bus rides seem like a nifty trick to win over young voters. It sure sounds generous, but one can predict the chaos when city buses become shelters on wheels. And of course, upping taxes on corporations. The money has to come from somewhere, and when it trickles down to residents who already feel squeezed, one wonders if they’ll still sing his praises. In the end, Mamdani hasn’t run anything yet, so time will tell if he can handle the nation’s largest city—or just run it into the ground. Now, for Democrats holding their breath, maybe it’s time to exhale—or start praying.