In 2018, the state of New York witnessed a political earthquake. Despite the efforts of former governor Andrew Cuomo to create and maintain a state government that was artificially divided between Republican and Democratic control (unnecessarily increasing the power of Republicans in the state legislature through political wheeling and dealing and providing a convenient excuse for the Democratic governor not to push progressive policies), left-wing activists — including many members of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the Working Families Party — elected progressive state senators and the largest Democratic majority in the state senate in many years.

Doing so allowed New York to pass historic legislation in 2019, including tenant protections, abortion protections, the DREAM Act, drivers’ licenses for undocumented immigrants, cash bail reform, and one of the most ambitious climate protections in the country. New York was on the way to becoming a progressive leader on these issues nationally, reflecting the popularity of such policies among many New Yorkers.

This unraveled in 2022. Despite significant national gains made by Democrats across state legislatures and governorships, New York actually lost state legislative seats, congressional seats, and only narrowly held on to the Democratic governorship. New York’s congressional losses cost Democrats control of the House.