Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: It's a Numbers Game: New York’s New Normal: The Rise of Socialist Power at City Hall
Release Date: June 26, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, hosted by iHeartPodcasts, Ryan Graduski delves into the recent New York City mayoral election, analyzing the unexpected rise of socialist candidates and the shifting political landscape of one of America's most iconic cities.

Recap of the Mayoral Election

Ryan Graduski opens the discussion by summarizing the key developments in the New York City mayoral race. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, long considered the frontrunner and a favorite for the Democratic nomination, faced a surprising defeat at the hands of Zoran Mandani, an upstart assemblyman identified as one of the furthest left-wing candidates among major parties in any major city.

Ryan Graduski (03:15):
"Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has been the favorite to win the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City for a while now, lost to an upstart assemblyman named Zoran Mandani, probably the furthest left-wing candidate nominated by a major party in any major city."

Cuomo garnered 362,000 votes compared to Mandani's 432,000, marking a seven-point loss with a vote distribution of 43.5% to 36.5%. This outcome was further complicated by New York's ranked-choice voting system, delaying the official confirmation of results until several days post-election.

Profiles of the Leading Candidates

Andrew Cuomo:
Once a prominent Democrat, Cuomo's campaign was marred by his previous resignation amid scandal. His platform centered on managing New York's decline, emphasizing stability and support for business and police forces. However, his policies, such as defunding the police, ending specialized schools, and freezing rents, positioned him to the right of the political spectrum in the current race.

Ryan Graduski (07:45):
"Cuomo's message throughout the election was about, you owe me because I'm Andrew Cuomo. I'm the Nepo baby who moved across the political spectrum while I was governor and had to resign in disgrace."

Zoran Mandani:
Mandani emerged as a socialist candidate advocating for progressive reforms, including arresting Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu if he visits the city, ending specialized education for gifted students, and implementing government-controlled grocery stores. His platform resonated strongly with highly educated, affluent millennials and progressive activists within key New York neighborhoods.

Ryan Graduski (08:50):
"Mandani's message is about creating a progressive paradise in the largest city in America. It has much more appeal than managed decline."

Election Results and Voter Demographics

The election outcomes revealed significant insights into voter behavior and demographic shifts:

• Mandani's Strongholds:

  • Assembly Districts: He secured 135,624 votes from 10 assembly districts bordering Manhattan, accounting for about 15% of all assembly seats in the city.
  • Affluent and Educated Voters: Areas with higher incomes (average $117,600+) and higher education levels showed a strong preference for Mandani, with districts like Astoria, Queens, and parts of Brooklyn and Queens delivering substantial support.

• Cuomo's Support Base:

  • Orthodox Jewish and Diverse Communities: Despite underperforming in the affluent districts, Cuomo maintained support in areas with significant Orthodox Jewish populations and other diverse communities.
  • Wealthy Neighborhoods: Upper East Side and Upper West Side neighborhoods predominantly favored Cuomo, contributing to his overall vote count despite lower performance in other areas.

Ryan Graduski (12:30):
"Mandani did well in areas with an average income of $117,600 a year or greater by 42.5 to 29.3%, and middle-income areas by 10 points. Working-class areas, however, leaned towards Cuomo by a 13-point margin."

Analysis of Voter Turnout and Political Trends

A critical factor in Mandani's victory was the high turnout among highly educated and progressive voters, contrasted by lower participation rates among the non-college-educated populace. This divergence highlighted an educational divide influencing electoral outcomes.

• Turnout Statistics:

  • Highly Educated Voters: Demonstrated strong engagement, often voting early and aligning with progressive agendas.
  • Non-College-Educated Voters: Showed decreased participation, undermining traditional Democratic support bases.

• Party Dynamics:
  The Democratic Party's shift towards more extreme progressive policies has alienated centrist and traditional voters, contributing to the rise of candidates like Mandani. Additionally, the influx of new Republicans in traditionally Democratic strongholds like Staten Island and parts of Queens indicates a realignment of political affiliations based on evolving socio-economic factors.

Ryan Graduski (18:00):
"We're allowing ourselves to be governed by the minority... Educational splintering of our country is why Cuomo lost."

Implications for Future Elections

Graduski extrapolates the New York City election results to broader national trends, suggesting that the Democratic Party may face challenges as progressive factions gain prominence. The potential for increased polarization and the emergence of more extreme candidates could reshape the political landscape in upcoming elections.

• Republican Prospects:
  Despite a significant surge in Republican support in New York City over recent elections, securing a mayoral victory for Republicans appears unlikely without unprecedented shifts in voter coalitions.

• Democratic Concerns:
  The rising influence of progressive ideologies within the party may lead to further fragmentation and internal conflicts, potentially weakening the party's overall cohesion and electoral prospects.

Ryan Graduski (20:45):
"This means it's going to, you know, Republicans are going to win or Democrats are going to lose or whatever. But there is that educational divide that we saw in this election that you should absorb for yourself."

Ask Me Anything (AMA) Segment

In response to listener inquiries, Graduski addresses questions about the Muslim vote's impact on elections and the future trajectory of the Democratic Party.

• Muslim Voter Influence:
  Graduski highlights the growing significance of the Muslim electorate in swing states like Michigan, Virginia, and Arizona. He predicts that the Muslim population will soon outnumber Jewish Americans in the U.S., potentially altering political dynamics.

Ryan Graduski (25:00):
"We will, for the very first time, have more Muslims in America than we have Jews... They are concentrated in Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona, Virginia, Nevada—those swing states."

• Democratic Party's Strategic Challenges:
  The emergence of strong progressive leaders poses strategic challenges for the Democratic Party, necessitating a balance between appealing to the base and maintaining broader electoral appeal.

Ryan Graduski (25:45):
"Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries and the rest of the governing class of the Democratic Party, they don't understand the... there's a very vocal and loud and strong part of their base in major cities that reject core values of this country."

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Ryan Graduski concludes the episode by emphasizing the need for political parties to adapt to changing voter demographics and educational divides. He underscores the importance of voter turnout, especially among working-class and less-educated populations, to prevent minority groups from disproportionately influencing election outcomes.

Ryan Graduski (26:30):
"The lesson to take home is the educational splintering of our country... We have to do the job of getting these people to show up and vote next November or we're going to lose a lot of seats."

Graduski also teases future episodes and encourages listeners to engage with the show through emails and social media, fostering an interactive community around these critical political discussions.

Notable Quotes

• On Mandani's Appeal:
  "Mandani's message is about creating a progressive paradise in the largest city in America."
  — Ryan Graduski (08:50)

• On Voter Turnout:
  "Educational splintering of our country is why Cuomo lost."
  — Ryan Graduski (18:00)

• On the Future of the Democratic Party:
  "There is a very vocal and loud and strong part of their base in major cities that reject core values of this country."
  — Ryan Graduski (25:45)

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolving political dynamics in New York City, highlighting the rise of socialist candidates and the implications for future elections. Ryan Graduski offers insightful perspectives on voter behavior, party strategies, and the broader national political climate, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the shifting contours of American politics.

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