Running a major city involves complex challenges not typically faced by public school teachers or lawmakers. Brandon Johnson's tenure as Chicago's mayor shows the difficulties of governance, risking popularity despite initial promise. Zohran Mamdani, a progressive candidate for New York City mayor, won the Democratic nomination but must navigate urban governance complexities that differ from activism. He is expected to benefit by collaborating with experienced officials, which is essential for managing budgets, contracts, and union negotiations, unlike the promises made during campaigning, which do not directly translate into effective governance.
Mamdani won the Democratic nomination on a wave of youthful energy, grassroots excitement, social media savvy and the same kinds of progressive promises Johnson made during his campaign.
Mamdani has a chance to avoid many of the pitfalls that have bedeviled Johnson by choosing and co-existing comfortably with at least one veteran of NYC government.
This is crucial because leading a movement is world's apart from running a sprawling big city government.
Johnson, to his credit, tapped Rich Guidice, a veteran of the Richard M. Daley administration, to be his first chief of staff.
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