Voters in Chicago are expressing regret over their support for Mayor Brandon Johnson, and New Yorkers should think carefully before backing socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Some have labeled Johnson as “the worst mayor in America.” The editorial board of the Wall Street Journal draws parallels between him and Mamdani, critiquing their shared progressive approaches that have not fared well in Chicago.
One former supporter, Cata Truss, advises New Yorkers to educate themselves on the candidates. “You really need to know who you’re voting for to avoid feeling regret later,” she mentioned in a recent post.
“I have buyer’s remorse like I’ve never experienced before,” the 59-year-old Truss noted. “Don’t end up like me. Research who is funding these campaigns and who helped them get elected—it’s crucial.”
Johnson’s ascent to the mayor’s office followed a tumultuous tenure under his predecessor, Lori Lightfoot. He ultimately won against centrist Paul Vallas, largely supported by minority and youth activists who embraced his leftist agenda, including a controversial resolution related to police funding he backed as a county commissioner.
Since taking office, Johnson’s approval ratings have hovered in the low 20s, thanks in part to the city spending over $600 million on services for about 50,000 undocumented immigrants who have settled there in recent years.
Doris Lewis, an 81-year-old retired high school teacher, expressed her discontent with Johnson’s policies, saying, “All the resources he’s allocating to undocumented citizens are hurting the city.”
Chicago’s financial troubles are becoming a talking point in the New York mayoral race, with former governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, using these issues to critique frontrunners.
Cuomo recently posted on social media, “Chicago is proof that incompetent leadership can turn vibrant cities into chaotic messes.”
Mamdani and Cuomo, who are currently polling as challengers in the upcoming election, are up against incumbents like Mayor Eric Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Lewis admitted she backed Johnson because he was a “young black man with a family,” but realized her misjudgment as she saw his administration unfold, labeling it a “disaster.”
She expressed frustration, saying he seemed to push an agenda that, in her view, neglected the needs of the Black community.
“What plans does Zohran Mamdani have for Black residents in New York City?” Lewis asked, voicing concerns about Mamdani potentially leading the city into a similar predicament.
Predictions of Mamdani’s success in the upcoming general election worry Lewis, who fears it would be “a disaster for New York as it has been for Chicago.” She is staunchly against Mamdani, insisting, “Socialism hasn’t worked for Black people.”
In a recent poll, only 20% of Chicago voters approved of Johnson’s performance, and he faces numerous efforts aimed at recalling him, backed by fundraising campaigns to ensure he doesn’t get re-elected in 2027.
Discontent with Johnson is echoed among other elected Democrats. Chicago Mayor Raymond Lopez, who supported Vallas, advocates for law enforcement and personal accountability, urging New Yorkers to “learn from our mistakes.”
He noted the alarming similarities between Johnson and Mamdani, describing them as overly progressive. “New York and Chicago could be heading toward a socialist future that might not benefit anyone,” Lopez warned.
“It’s time to prioritize candidates who learn from past mistakes and focus on effective outcomes rather than embracing radical change for change’s sake,” he added.
