Democrats celebrating Zohran Mamdani’s sweeping victory in New York City’s mayoral race on Tuesday were met with sobering news by week’s end. A new Politico survey revealed that, despite recent electoral momentum, the party remains deeply divided and lacks a clear leader capable of channeling its resurgence. The Politico/Public First poll, conducted among 2024 Kamala Harris voters, found widespread uncertainty about who currently leads the Democratic Party. When asked an open-ended question — “Who do you consider to be the leader of the Democratic Party?” — the most common response was “I don’t know,” accounting for 21% of answers. Another 11% said “nobody.” Harris, the former vice president and 2024 presidential nominee, ranked highest but was named by only 16% of her own voters. California Gov. Gavin Newsom followed with 6%, while other responses scattered across veteran figures such as Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi.

“This is where we are,” said Democratic strategist Lauren Harper Pope, who described the party as “factionally and ideologically divided.” Despite off-year election successes, she added, Democrats still lack a unifying figure. Political analysts say that absence complicates efforts to craft a cohesive strategy ahead of 2028. Tuesday’s results nonetheless showcased an energized liberal base. Moderates Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey won decisive gubernatorial races, while Democrats made gains in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. In California, Gov. Newsom’s redistricting strategy paid dividends, and in New York City, democratic socialist Mamdani’s landslide victory further boosted party morale.

Still, Politico noted, enthusiasm hasn’t translated into unity. “We’re getting our footing back,” said Lanae Erickson of Third Way. “But people don’t yet see who’s pointing the direction of the party.” By contrast, 81% of Republican voters named Donald Trump as their party’s leader — underscoring the stark divide between Democratic uncertainty and GOP cohesion.