In an age when politicians are commodities to be bought and sold, Zohran Mamdani has done the unthinkable. He beat mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo, an establishment, pac-funded, moderate Democrat, by running his own grassroots campaign for mayor of New York City.

His coalition did not consist of billionaires and corporations, it consisted of working class New Yorkers, immigrants and young people. According to Politico, more than 95,000 volunteers for Mamdani canvassed for him by knocking doors, approaching potential voters and sharing his simple but effective messages about affordability.

This is a stark difference from Cuomo, who had to pay canvassers to promote his campaign. The odds were against Mamdani, yet he managed to slide past the once popular Governor Cuomo in the city’s largest mayoral election turnout in over 50 years.

Mamdani represents a new path forward for the Democratic Party. Instead of nominating older, moderate and “safe” candidates in an attempt to win Independent voters, Democrats must take a stronger approach.

Mamdani ran his mayoral campaign on bold and energetic promises such as freezing rent, establishing city operated grocery stores, delivering universal childcare and eliminating the fare on city buses. Not only did he diagnose the issues that so many New Yorkers face, but he created viable solutions for them.

People all throughout the country, not just in New York City, paid attention to the New York mayoral race. At a time when many have fallen victim to the affordability crisis, SNAP benefits are being withheld and hope in government seems to have been lost, Mamdani’s message resonated with many.

Mamdani’s success in New York City serves as a blueprint for Democrats planning to run for office in the future.

The truth is, progressive policies are popular. Now is not the time to shy away from taking bold and aggressive stances to combat the rising cost of living within the U.S. It is time that the Democratic Party embraces progressive candidates instead of rallying behind moderates.

According to a poll by Politico, about one in three Democrats say that the Democratic Party currently does not have a clear leader. Instead of viewing this as a detriment, I view this as an opportunity for new and emboldened leadership to transform the party. Democrats no longer need corporate sell-outs and Washington insiders. We need new, progressive visionaries that understand and connect to the struggles faced by the working class.

In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear says he will “take a look” at running for president in 2028. Like Mamdani, Beshear has stood with union workers and stressed the importance of economic development. Though he would not venture to label himself a “democratic socialist” as Mamdani has done, Beshear could be the younger, non-establishment candidate that the Democrats need to revitalize their base in 2028.

Whether it be Beshear or someone else that assumes leadership for the Democratic Party, the next Democratic candidate for president must not be afraid to be labeled as “progressive.” Progressive policies have the potential to revitalize our country and give people leadership worth believing in.