In a candid and pointed conversation with CNN’s Laura Coates, Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett praised New York Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani as one of the most effective communicators in today’s Democratic Party — and said her colleagues could stand to take notes.
“He has been a master. And frankly, he could do a master class for all Democrats on communication,” Crockett said during the Thursday Nov. 11 interview. “Whether you’re talking about speaking with passion and heart, or just talking to the working class — not worrying about the billionaires. They’re going to be fine.”
Crockett’s comments came after Coates asked what advice she might give Mamdani, who has faced backlash for his outspoken progressive positions.
The Congresswoman’s response flipped the question on its head: she said it’s the party — not Mamdani — that needs the advice.
Our Party Needs to Learn From Mamdani
Crockett argued that Democrats must refocus their message and learn how to speak to everyday Americans — the workers, renters, and families who often feel unseen by political elites.
“What I think is that our party needs to learn from Mamdani,” she said. “They need to learn about organizing people on all levels. They need to learn to talk to everyone and not just those double Ds or triple Ds [the core Democratic voters]… They need to not necessarily give up on anybody.”
Her remarks underscore a growing tension within the Democratic Party over messaging — particularly as progressives like Mamdani, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and others push for a more populist, working-class focus while establishment figures try to court moderates and independents ahead of 2026.
Crockett’s praise signals how Mamdani’s grassroots approach and rhetorical authenticity have resonated even beyond New York politics.
Mamdani’s Rising Profile
Zohran Mamdani, the Queens Assemblymember of Ugandan-Indian heritage, has become a prominent voice for progressive economic policies, tenants’ rights, and Palestinian solidarity. He has faced both admiration and sharp criticism — particularly from pro-establishment Democrats and conservative media — for his unapologetically leftist positions.
Yet, Crockett’s endorsement of his communication style highlights what many observers have noted: Mamdani’s ability to translate complex policy issues into moral and emotional language that connects deeply with working-class voters.
“He’s not afraid to say who he stands for,” one Democratic strategist told The Guardian earlier this year. “That kind of clarity is something our party often lacks.”
A Lesson in Political Clarity
Crockett’s words point to a larger reckoning for Democrats heading into 2026: Can the party speak to working-class anger and economic anxiety without alienating donors and moderates?
Mamdani represents one possible answer — a style rooted in conviction and storytelling rather than triangulation. His political playbook prioritizes directness over decorum, something Crockett herself has been known for in her fiery exchanges on Capitol Hill.
