Zohran Mamdani’s recent victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary has captured attention reminiscent of past progressive wins. However, it is essential for leaders and candidates like Mamdani to draw lessons from the challenges faced by another progressive political figure, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Johnson’s unexpected rise in the 2023 election was a shock to the Chicago political landscape, as he secured a place in a runoff election while denying incumbent Lori Lightfoot a position. His eventual victory was fueled by high voter turnout among young residents and a coalition of support from Black, progressive, and some Latino neighborhoods.
Despite these initial successes, Johnson’s administration has faced scrutiny and significant challenges. Current polling indicates that his approval ratings hover below 30%, with some surveys reporting even lower figures. Even with advancements in critical areas such as labor, crime, and housing, some of his staunchest allies on the city council have expressed dissatisfaction, while opponents are already mobilizing for a potential challenge in 2027.
Jaime Dominguez, an associate professor of political science at Northwestern University, noted Johnson’s inexperience in city governance prior to his election. Despite a four-year tenure as a Cook County commissioner, Johnson found himself navigating complicated political terrain upon taking office. This lack of experience has led to mistakes, which many see as part of a steep learning curve for a newcomer to such high-stakes leadership.
Johnson’s presidency has attracted national media attention, often in a critical light. The Wall Street Journal’s conservative editorial board labeled him as “America’s Worst Mayor.” Meanwhile, the New York Times suggested that Johnson is contributing to a decline in Chicago and cautioned against placing Mamdani on ranked-choice ballots in the primary.
As Mamdani approaches the November general election, he inherits the narratives surrounding Johnson’s tenure. Observers are advising Mamdani to avoid replicating the mistakes of Johnson’s administration.
Supporters of Johnson emphasize that he has made significant contributions during his time in office, although these accomplishments often go unreported in the mainstream media. Legislative changes include ending the subminimum wage for tipped workers, mandating ten days of paid leave, and reopening city-run mental health clinics. Moreover, Johnson secured a $1.25 billion bond for housing and economic development, alongside initiatives for green social housing through public-private collaborations.
Sarah Johnson, director of the state power division of the Working Families Party, remarked that local progressive policies often face intense opposition. Despite notable policy achievements, entrenched narrative forces make it difficult for such leaders to maintain favorable public perceptions.
However, Johnson has also encountered significant and ongoing challenges, including the management of migrants arriving in Chicago from Texas. Like many other major cities, Johnson’s administration has faced criticism for its handling of the growing humanitarian crisis. Chicago has addressed more than 50,000 migrant arrivals, with investments exceeding $600 million, which some constituents feel disproportionately diverts critical resources away from the city’s historically underserved areas.
Alderman Andre Vasquez, co-chair of the city council’s progressive caucus, has openly criticized Johnson over his handling of the migrant issue. Vasquez expressed concerns about the logistics of relocating migrants from police stations to makeshift shelters, which involved partnerships with companies deemed controversial and unsafe.
During public meetings aimed at discussing shelter plans, residents voiced their worries and frustrations, frequently questioning Johnson’s absence. Vasquez indicated that while some constituents felt protective of Johnson, others were dissatisfied with the lack of engagement.
Following the successful management of the Democratic National Convention in August 2024, Johnson ran into other obstacles. Reports emerged suggesting Johnson requested the resignation of Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez amid challenging negotiations with the teachers’ union, though Johnson denied such claims. The conflict escalated, resulting in the resignation of all Johnson-appointed Board of Education members and the eventual termination of Martinez later that year.
Johnson was also compelled to grapple with financial difficulties as the city faced the end of COVID relief funds. This led to discussions of increasing property taxes, a move that contradicted his earlier campaign pledges. The city council unanimously rejected his tax proposal, and a final budget was passed only after significant amendments, leaving Chicago with a troubling deficit projected to exceed $1 billion for the ensuing fiscal year.
The mayor’s decision to support public funding for a domed lakefront stadium for the Chicago Bears during a budget crisis further drew ire from constituents as feedback highlighted dissatisfaction with prioritization in spending.
Alderman Vasquez attributed one of Johnson’s critical downfalls to a common pitfall among mayors: a lack of willingness to receive feedback from dissenting voices. He commented on Johnson’s administration perceiving dissent as criticism rather than a constructive opportunity for growth.
Opposition to Johnson’s leadership has been relentless. After a failed ballot initiative to raise funds for combating homelessness, critics cited a lack of public trust in fiscal responsibility. Concurrently, business leaders formed a new super PAC, establishing a powerful political counterweight to Johnson’s administration, raising over $10 million aimed at overthrowing Johnson and his supporters in the next election.
Adding fuel to the fire, Johnson’s remarks regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict have faced backlash, particularly among forces looking to undermine his progressive stance. Johnson’s support for a cease-fire resolution has further stoked tensions with his political adversaries.
In a July 2025 press conference, Johnson remarked on the function of these super PACs, claiming they are designed to sow confusion and doubt among Chicagoans regarding his administration’s progressive agenda.
Johnson’s team insists that his agenda is yielding tangible outcomes. They highlight falling violent crime rates and the construction of thousands of affordable housing units as victories. However, observers note that despite improvements, Johnson has had difficulty effectively communicating these successes to the public, resulting in ongoing political challenges.
Dominguez recognized some progress under Johnson’s leadership but stated that his overall message has failed to resonate widely enough to lift his approval ratings. The mayor’s response has been to enhance communication strategies, launching initiatives designed to deepen engagement with everyday Chicago residents. These include outreach efforts at places of worship and regular press briefings.
Organizational leaders like Sarah Johnson from the Working Families Party stress the importance of building a robust statewide movement for progressive victories and argue that city successes must align with broader efforts.
Vasquez believes that Johnson’s unique position as the first progressive mayor in decades presents invaluable lessons for future candidates, including Mamdani. He advised future leaders to make smaller, achievable promises to establish credibility and trust among voters.
The overarching hope is that if Mamdani is elected in New York City, he can provide a model of effective governance that contrasts with the political difficulties faced in Chicago. Vasquez concluded that strong examples of successful progressive leadership could reassure the electorate and foster a trusting relationship with the constituents.
image source from：prospect
