Within the first two weeks of this new year, we are seeing the inauguration of two new mayors. Both are Democrats; both are young; both are foreign born; both are attractive and very telegenic. Both will be key political players of the immediate future.
Already in office is Zohran Kwame Mamdani, who was sworn in on New Year’s Day as Mayor of New York City. Mamdani (34) was born in Kampala, Uganda in 1991 to Indian parents. He is the city’s first mayor who is both Muslim and Asian American. Perhaps even more significant to the people of one part of town, he is the first mayor from the borough of Queens.
And the other is closer to home. Helena Moreno (48) will be inaugurated Tuesday, Jan. 12. She was born in Veracruz, Mexico. She did much of her growing up in Houston before moving to New Orleans as a young professional in pursuit of a TV career. Her interest in politics would provide a surprising bounce.
Although they are members of the same party, they have different ideological priorities. Mamdani, who belongs to the left-leaning Democratic Socialists of America, is obviously seen as being more liberal. (Commenting on Mamdani’s election, President Trump referred to him as a “Communist,” though the two have since met at the White House and seem to have a warmer relationship.) Moreno is more of a moderate Democrat serving in a city that votes heavily Democratic, although ideology doesn’t matter as much as everyday needs.
What really separates the two is political managerial experience. Other than serving as a member of the New York State Assembly, Mamdani has little practical background. Moreno, by contrast, has served in the Louisiana legislature and then on the city council. As one of two Council members at Large, she shared the second highest city office next to being mayor.
Because New York City is so ethnically and economically diverse, socialist type politics is more important than in New Orleans where the worries are more about crime, street condition and drainage.
Party links aside, politically the two exist in different worlds.
Nevertheless, party label will be a bond, especially in national politics. Both new mayors will be media darlings with lots of on-camera potential at public events, such as party conventions. And count on it, whenever the topic is upcoming major elections; both will be part of the speculation. Someone is probably already weighing the potential of a Mamdani/Moreno (or vise-versa) presidential ticket, but don’t count on it. The U.S. Constitution prohibits anyone who is not a “natural born citizen” of the United States from being eligible to run for President or Vice President. (Defining “natural born” has long been debated. The issue could one day provide some judicial wiggle room.)
Rather than worrying about their state or the nation, both Mamdani and Moreno will have their agendas full with what is the toughest of all jobs – being big city mayors. And the interest is especially high for cities that the world cares about.
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BOOK ANNOUNCEMENTS: Errol’s Laborde’s new book, “When Rex Met Zulu: And Other Chronicles of the New Orleans Experience,” (Pelican Publishing Company, 2024) is now available at local bookstores and websites.
Laborde’s other recent publications: “New Orleans: The First 300 Years” and “Mardi Gras: Chronicles of the New Orleans Carnival” (Pelican Publishing Company, 2017 and 2013), are available at the same locations.
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