This summer has been a wake-up call for the Democratic Party, with three primary victories in New York City for candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Melat Kiros’s win in Colorado, and the rise of other candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America.

While younger primary voters especially have helped elevate candidates who support a leftist agenda – including the strong admonition of Israel – moderates have prevailed in districts with older voters. Is this a seismic generational shift? Which remaining primary races will be potentially determinative of Congressional control after the November midterms? And how effective have socialist-coded mayors been as new democratic socialist elects potentially take office in cities such as D.C. and Los Angeles?

Featuring Manu Raju, CNN chief congressional correspondent, Grace Mausser*, co-chair of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Jesse Arm*, Vice President of External Affairs at the Manhattan Institute, and Caitlin Legacki*, Democratic strategist. Moderated by Jonathan Weisman, national editor at The New York Times. Dinner served. 

*Guest will participate virtually.

In-person attendance for this event is open to current UChicago students only. If you are not a current student, you can tune in to the livestream on our YouTube channel.

If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact iopevents@uchicago.edu.

Monday, July 20, 2026

5:30 - 6:30 pm

Institute of Politics