For Ohio’s future, look beyond capitalism as socialists resurge Matthew Charlebois

Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayoral race signals a resurgence of socialist politics in America. His campaign found success by directly addressing the crisis of affordability for working-class families — a crisis not confined to coastal cities.

The same economic forces squeezing New York are crushing Ohio, where working people’s stagnant wages are losing a desperate battle against soaring costs of living. This shared reality is why a socialist platform, as championed by 2026 Ohio Senate candidate Greg Levy , has the potential to resonate with the many Ohio voters disillusioned with establishment politicians who serve corporate and big-money interests.

The data on Ohio’s working class reveals a state in distress. While the median household income in Ohio is approxima