Socialist Politics Can Break Through to Asian Immigrants
Politicians have long used red-baiting to win Asian American votes, assuming an aversion to anything labeled socialist. But Zohran Mamdani’s primary triumph in Asian immigrant neighborhoods suggests that economic populism can overcome ideological baggage.
In the New York City mayoral election, Asian American immigrants are willing to gamble on a socialist, despite historical ambivalence or aversion among many of them toward the concept. (Madison Swart / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
Two Chinese Communist Party intelligence officers sit across from each other in a windowless room, incense smoke curling up from a ceramic vessel. They’re discussing their newest asset, US congressional candidate Jay Chen.
“This Jay Chen for American Congress, he’s perfect for China,” one of them says. “He’s one of us, a socialist comrade who supported Bernie Sanders for Supreme Leader!”
“Sanders loves Mao, Chen loves Sanders,” his partner responds, before they both throw their heads back and cackle.
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