Yesterday felt different. Not because another party scored points, but because power actually moved.
California passed Proposition 50, handing the state legislature control over how congressional maps will be drawn. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani pulled off what most people said couldn’t be done and won the Democratic nomination for mayor.
I’m not celebrating as a Democrat, because I’m not one. I’m not Republican either. What I care about is leadership — the kind that serves people instead of protecting power.
So what do these wins tell us?
In California, it’s strategy. The legislature now decides where the political lines go, not an independent commission. It’s a bold move. It says, “We’re done reacting.” But strategy is only as ethical as the people running it. Power is a shape-shifter. It always tests whether you’ll use it or abuse it.
In New York, Mamdani’s win is emotional. It’s the story of regular people saying, “We’re tired of being ignored.” He didn’t win because of money or connections. He won because people want leadership that actually looks and listens like them.
Two different victories, same question: what happens next?
Because winning doesn’t mean the work is done. It means the spotlight just turned on.
Leadership that begins with courage can slowly turn into control if nobody’s watching. We’ve seen it before. The energy of change gets comfortable, the mission gets political, and suddenly “for the people” becomes “about the power.”
So yes, celebrate. California just made it harder for extremists to redraw democracy for themselves. New York just reminded the country that grassroots energy can still win in the big leagues.
But don’t clock out.
Pay attention.
Power only respects people who are watching.
If we want leadership that leads with conscience instead of ego, we can’t disappear between elections. The work isn’t in the win. It’s in what happens after.
Stay grounded.
Stay loud.
And remember, the map and the mayor are changing, but the test is still the same. Who are they leading for?
