New York: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday said that the results of the mid-term elections are a “referendum” on politicians telling working people that their needs were unrealistic, and it was “incredible” to see the sweeping victories registered by Democrats in the House and Senate.
“It was incredible to see the blue wave,” Mamdani said at a press conference.
“This referendum was on politicians telling working people that their needs were unrealistic, while those same politicians were willing to do whatever it is that the wealthiest people in the country would ask them to do. And I think this election is also a referendum on (Vice President) J D Vance asking for two more years to deliver on the things that Americans cannot afford even another day of delay on,” he said.
He added that “Americans are tired of being told that their needs are unrealistic by politicians who the wealthiest people in the country have bought”.
Referring to Vance telling Americans to give him two more years, Mamdani said, “Americans cannot afford two more years when their rent is due on the first of the month. Americans cannot afford two more years when they have to pay childcare for their kids. They cannot afford two more years when they have to go to the grocery store today. And so, what we need to understand is the urgency of delivering for those same Americans who have entrusted us with this power.”
Democrats swept through the midterms, flipping seven states and making inroads into deep-red states.
In a seismic shift in Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, becoming the first from his party to be sent by the state to the Senate since 1988.
In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated Republican Roger Marshall, marking the first instance of the state sending a Democratic representative to the Senate in 94 years.
In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham, the first instance of the state sending a Democratic representative to the Senate since 1998. Graham is the sister of late Republican leader Lindsay Graham.
In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeated five time senator Susan Collins, in another significant victory.
In Iowa, Democrat Josh Turek defeated Republican Ashley Hinson and in North Carolina, Democrat Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Watley.
Meanwhile amid the defeat US President Donald Trump responded that the war in Iran was “largely true” as a reason for the Republican Party's heavy losses in the midterm elections, but struck a defiant note, saying he would launch the war again as it was the “only answer” in the long term to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
(With agency inputs from PTI)