A new era of New York City’s politics began yesterday with the inauguration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, sworn in by avowed socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, no less. It marks an historic transformation on a number of fronts: Mamdani is the first Muslim Mayor of New York; first Asian-American Mayor of NYC; first Ugandan-born Mayor of the Big Apple; and, more significantly, the first NYC mayor who is a proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Estimates of the number of Democratic Socialist of America members in the U.S. are north of 90,000, and are going to grow at a quickening pace in the months and perhaps years ahead. The group does provide the most vigorous left-leaning voice among Democratic voters. If you want to read more about Mamdani’s policies, check out the current issue of Jacobin, which features articles on “Municipal Socialism.”

Mamdani’s ardent embrace of Democratic Socialism sets eyes rolling among centrist Democrats, who believe, probably correctly, that the Democratic Socialist dog will not hunt statewide anywhere in the U.S.  No matter, say the Democratic Socialists, we will be delighted to run America’s largest cities. And they have a good start in the most populated American city, which has more people than most states.

Mayor Mamdani has an extremely ambitious agenda, which reportedly includes free bus service, public ownership of utilities, a city-owned supermarket in every Burough, a $30 per hour minimum wage, universal child care, affordable housing and a big hike in taxes for corporations and the wealthy. Not a lot of low-hanging fruit on that tree. If he achieves half of his agenda, expect his popularity to soar.  If Mayor Mamdani fails to achieve any of these goals in his first year, his popularity will likely tank.

“Under-promise and over-deliver” says a motto pasted on many a cubicle wall. Mayor Mamdani has arguably taken a pretty big risk in staking out his agenda in such specifics. But he has done pretty good so far without heeding advice to the contrary. It is often noted, however, that Democrats in recent times are long on promise and short on deliverables, which is one reason why its party approval statistics are lagging. Mamdani has to produce to remain credible. If he does, his bright future in American politics is assured – and with it the prospects for Democratic Socialism.