Trump and Mamdani Follow Similar Upset Paths in Party Primaries
Both Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani surged past party establishments by winning primaries that favored other candidates.
Donald Trump entered politics without holding elected office and nonetheless won the 2016 Republican primary, surprising party insiders. Zohran Mamdani, a wealthy septuagenarian, went from a little-known state assembly member in October 2024 to beating the Democratic establishment’s choice, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, in both the primary and general elections for New York City mayor. Both politicians benefited from bottom-up primary voters who ignored party preferences, converting outsider narratives into credibility.
The piece draws a parallel with the 1969 episode when India’s Congress Party attempted to curb Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, only to see internal resistance fuel her legitimacy. These examples illustrate how insurgent coalitions can reshape party dynamics across different political systems.
Why it matters
It shows how grassroots primaries can overturn party elites, reshaping political landscapes.
How this story developed
- Oct 8 Ambassador-to-Greece nominee reportedly asked donor for $100k wire to personal account
- Oct 11 The State Department Inspector General has opened a probe into the ambassador’s conduct.
In this story
Related stories
9 in this thread