Max Politics Podcast Summary

Episode: Jasmine Gripper & Ana Maria Archila on the WFP, Progressive Politics, & 2026 Elections
Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Ben Max
Guests: Jasmine Gripper (New York State Director, Working Families Party), Ana Maria Archila (Outgoing Co-Director, WFP; incoming NYC Commissioner of International Affairs)

Episode Overview

This episode explores the current standing, recent triumphs and setbacks, and forward-looking strategies of the New York Working Families Party (WFP) in a pivotal election cycle. Ben Max sits down with Jasmine Gripper and Ana Maria Archila to discuss the pulse of progressive politics in New York, WFP’s approach to city and state policymaking, their relationship with the more moderate Governor Kathy Hochul, contentious congressional primaries, and lessons learned from past election cycles. The conversation also touches on WFP’s recent leadership shift and Archila's transition to a new city government role amid significant changes in New York's political landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Leadership Changes at the WFP (06:13–06:32)

• Transition: Jasmine Gripper has become sole Director of WFP as Ana Maria Archila leaves to become Commissioner of International Affairs in the Mamdani administration.
• Both express excitement and readiness for their new roles.

2. “Tax the Rich” Rally and Fiscal Policy Debate (07:29–19:06)

Rally Details & Purpose (07:29–09:03)

• Jasmine Gripper:

  • Thousands are rallying in Albany to demand Governor Hochul and the legislature raise taxes on the ultra-rich to address NYC’s $7 billion budget deficit.
  • Emphasizes the city’s affordability crisis:

    “We can't balance the budget on the backs of our children, on the back of the working class. We need to balance our budget by asking the ultra wealthy in New York to pay a little bit more…” (07:47)

• Coalition: Event is led by WFP partnering with DSA and “Our Time,” a new organization emerging from Mayor Mamdani’s campaign.

The Broader Case for Taxing the Rich (09:50–12:11)

• Ana Maria Archila:
  • Argues taxing the rich is about fundamental inequality, not just revenue:

    “If we just talk about what money does the government need... we are actually missing the big picture, which is that... our government... has used the tax system to actually allow the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a very few.” (10:16)

  • Suggests the issue is structural and about addressing decades of policy failures.

Political Terrain for Progressive Taxes (13:36–15:38)

• Jasmine Gripper:
  • Asserts that raising taxes is a test of “political will” and a “moral compass.”
  • Counters the “myth of the moving millionaire”:

    “Yes, like we lost maybe like a dozen millionaires the last time we raised taxes, but we gained like 1200 more...” (15:14)

Property Tax Threat – Political Gamble? (18:02–19:06)

• Discussion around Mayor Mamdani’s warning that, if Albany doesn’t allow higher taxes on the rich, he’ll raise NYC property taxes.
• Jasmine Gripper: Frames it as pressure on Governor Hochul:

  “His goal is not to raise... property taxes. He said this is a last resort situation... This is him upping the pressure on Kathy Hochul to say, when you don't deliver on taxing the wealthy, this is the consequence...” (18:02)

3. Gubernatorial Politics: No WFP Endorsement & Its Implications (20:34–32:10)

Reflections on Challenges & Strategy (20:34–28:08)

• Ana Maria Archila:
  • Shares lessons from her own 2022 campaign as WFP candidate for Lt. Governor.
  • Explains WFP’s decision not to endorse in the current cycle was shaped by previous losses and lack of coalition alignment:

    “When you make a challenge of a sitting incumbent, you need to make sure that everybody on your side is rowing in the same direction... the internal democracy of the party was not aligned.” (25:09)

WFP Leverage With Governor Hochul (28:08–32:10)

• Key leverage point is before endorsement, not after.
• Cites Hochul’s major investments in child care and immigration as influenced by WFP priorities.
• Jasmine Gripper:
  • Stresses Democrats must be “for something,” not just “against MAGA and Trump” to motivate the base:

    “Simply being against something is not enough. You need to be for something and demonstrate what are you trying to deliver for the people...” (31:12)

4. Congressional Primaries: NY-7 and NY-10 (32:10–56:32)

NY-7: Reynoso vs. Valdez and the Endorsement Process (32:10–44:39)

• Endorsement Mechanics:

  • WFP’s weighted vote system includes both affiliate organizations and individual dues-paying members.
  • Some members favored DSA-backed Claire Valdez, but the affiliate/caucus vote gave the nod to Antonio Reynoso.

    “Our nonprofit affiliates... represent hundreds and thousands of New Yorkers. And that is why we have a weighted vote system...” (33:42)

  • Ana Maria Archila:
    • Exceptionally tough decision; acknowledges both candidates’ strong progressive credentials.

• On distinctions between the candidates:

  • Jasmine Gripper:
    • The choice for Reynoso came down to established relationships, track record, and respect from affiliates:

      “People really had rich stories around the ways they have worked with him over the years and the way he's delivered…” (41:43)

  • AOC’s possible influence in the race is noted but undecided.

• Archila’s Perspective:

  • Worries about “intra-left” conflict; urges big-tent unity for the progressive movement:

    “I have, like, you know, being kind of heartbroken at the, the intro left fight and this one in particular...” (47:04)

NY-10: Brad Lander challenging Dan Goldman (49:15–56:32)

• Jasmine Gripper:
  • Explains WFP’s “block and build” strategy: block Republicans in swing districts; build progressive power in safe blue seats.
  • Lander’s progressive challenge is seen as viable due to NY-10’s strong left demographics and Goldman's centrist positions, particularly on Gaza/Israel and constituent engagement:

    “We want a leader who's responsive to the district, who's available to meet with their constituents, listens and takes the lead from the voters in their district.” (53:13)

• Ana Maria Archila:
  • Cites “frustration” with Goldman by local officials and constituents for lack of partnership:

    “There are many other parts of the job that I think a lot of people over the last four years have found deeply frustrating with him.” (55:11)

• Lander carries endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Mayor Mamdani, and likely has organizational and grassroots momentum.

5. Other Races & WFP Outlook (57:10–57:50)

• On further congressional endorsements:
  • WFP is still deciding on other races; “stay tuned.” (57:45)
  • Mentions possible involvement in NY-12, NY-13, and NY-15.

6. Ana Maria Archila’s New Role: International Affairs Commissioner (58:02–61:16)

• Archila describes the vision:
  • To transform the office from a largely ceremonial diplomatic function to a hub for building international alliances (especially with other progressive, pro-democracy cities) and ensuring the office connects deeply with NYC’s diverse immigrant and diaspora communities:

    “...everything that this office does will be rooted in the New Yorkers who live in this city, whose histories also trace back to other parts of the world. And we will be... building alliances that ultimately help the city learn from other places, solutions to advance and to make New York City more affordable, more livable for working class New Yorkers and also help reconnect New York to the world that still believes that democracy is a value that we need to cherish and protect.” (59:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jasmine Gripper on taxing the rich:

  "Asking the ultra wealthy in New York to pay a little bit more so that we have enough resources so everyone can thrive." (07:47)

• Ana Maria Archila on the meaning of tax reform:

  “If we just talk about what money does the government need... we are actually missing the big picture, which is... our government... has used the tax system to actually allow the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a very few.” (10:16)

• Jasmine Gripper on returning millionaires:

  “Like we lost maybe like a dozen millionaires the last time we raised taxes, but we gained like 1200 more.” (15:14)

• Archila on WFP’s lessons from election loss:

  “The consequence of that loss shaped our ability to move the agenda that we care about in Albany over the last four years.” (22:00)

• Gripper on Democrats’ motivation:

  “Simply being against something is not enough. You need to be for something...” (31:12)

• Archila on intra-left division:

  “I have, like, you know, being kind of heartbroken at the, the intro left fight and this one in particular...” (47:04)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Leadership and Current Roles: 06:13–06:32
• Tax the Rich Campaign & Fiscal Crisis: 07:29–19:06
• WFP and Gubernatorial Politics: 20:34–32:10
• Congressional Primaries: NY-7: 32:10–44:39
• Congressional Primaries: NY-10: 49:15–56:32
• Other Races & WFP Outlook: 57:10–57:50
• Archila's New International Affairs Role: 58:02–61:16

Tone & Closing

• The conversation was candid yet respectful, with both guests emphasizing values-driven strategies alongside practical politics.
• Archila closed with a message about international solidarity and democracy, while Gripper looked ahead to further WFP electoral activism.

For listeners and politics-watchers, this episode provided a comprehensive and nuanced look at the current progressive agenda, the pragmatic calculations involved in endorsements, and the challenges of coalition-building on New York’s left.