Multiple candidates compete to represent 36th Assembly District as organized movement seeks to consolidate power and advance housing agenda
Queens Democratic Socialists Build on Mamdani Victory Through Assembly Succession Strategy
The transition of Zohran Mamdani from the New York State Assembly to the New York City mayor’s office is prompting significant political maneuvering in the 36th Assembly District, as multiple candidates compete to represent one of the nation’s most reliable Democratic Socialist strongholds. The special election expected in February 2026 will determine whether Diana Moreno, backed by the outgoing mayor-elect, can secure the seat, or whether alternative progressive candidates can mobilize base support through grassroots organizing emphasizing authenticity over institutional endorsements. The race reflects broader Democratic Socialist movement questions about consolidating power versus maintaining authentic community organizing principles and democratic decision-making processes.
Moreno’s Institutional Advantages and Campaign Strategy
Diana Moreno’s backing from Mamdani provides substantial organizational and credibility advantages in a district where Mamdani’s Assembly work earned respect across constituencies. Moreno appeared in Mamdani’s mayoral campaign advertisements and has maintained long-term organizing relationships with district residents. She claims to have knocked on nearly 3,000 doors within two weeks of announcing candidacy, suggesting genuine volunteer capacity rather than purely funded campaign infrastructure. Her campaign narrative emphasizes continuity with Mamdani’s affordability agenda while establishing independent credibility as a community representative. The compressed February timelineproviding candidates with roughly 30 days to conduct campaignssignificantly advantages candidates with existing volunteer networks and organizational capacity.
Jobaida’s Grassroots Organizing Challenge to Moreno
Mary Jobaida represents direct challenge to Moreno’s frontrunner status through explicit grassroots organizing model. Jobaida filed for the Assembly seat early, before Mamdani’s mayoral victory was assured, demonstrating independent initiative and commitment. She argues that Mamdani himself started as an underdog candidate without major institutional support, suggesting that authenticity matters more than endorsements in persuading Astoria voters. According to Jobaida: “I am endorsed by the people. Ours is a neighbors-to-neighbors, grassroots campaign, built from the ground up, not from the top down. I carry our community’s trust with me, and I’m looking forward to the election.” Her messaging directly challenges Moreno by suggesting that top-down endorsements contradict Democratic Socialist democratic principles.
The People’s Republic of Astoria: Unique Political Geography
The 36th Assembly District’s designation as the “People’s Republic of Astoria” reflects extraordinary political achievement in American electoral history. This is the only neighborhood in the entire United States where socialists hold elected offices at every governmental levelfederal, state, and local representation are all held by Democratic Socialists. This unique distinction creates unusual electoral dynamics where voters have demonstrated sophisticated understanding of Democratic Socialist politics through years of supporting candidates with explicit ideological commitments. Candidates cannot rely on generic progressive positioning but must engage substantively with policy implementation, community service, and movement strategy. Rana Abdelhamid brings her own organizational strength and community relationships to the special election. Like Jobaida and Moreno, Abdelhamid carries DSA endorsement, suggesting substantial overlap in candidate positioning and policy platforms.
Shivani Dhir, newest entrant and an assistant dean at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, offers a different candidate profile emphasizing technical expertise and educational credentials. While supporting Mamdani’s affordability efforts, Dhir has not emphasized housing issues as campaign centerpiece, potentially attracting voters seeking Assembly representation focusing on education, technology infrastructure, and economic development. Her entry diversifies candidate profiles beyond Democratic Socialist organizers. All major candidates have emphasized housing affordability, reflecting the issue’s overwhelming importance to district residents. Rent stabilization represents the single most salient economic justice issue in Astoria, where housing costs consume disproportionate portions of household budgets.
Movement Implications and Future Democratic Socialist Electoral Strategy
The 36th Assembly District special election will signal whether Democratic Socialist movement prioritizes institutional consolidation through top-down endorsement politics or maintains grassroots democratic principles emphasizing base participation in leadership selection. Moreno’s potential victory would suggest movement willingness to use institutional power for succession planning and power consolidation. Jobaida or Abdelhamid victories would reinforce emphasis on authentic grassroots organizing and distributed leadership models. The outcome will shape Democratic Socialist approaches to subsequent electoral opportunities, potentially influencing movement strategy nationally. Democratic Socialists nationwide will watch Astoria’s special election closely, viewing it as indicative of movement culture and political priorities during this period of organizational growth and electoral success.
