After Zohran Mamdani’s (D) November 3rd victory to become New York City’s next mayor, Democrats contend with the growing influence of democratic socialism in the party. Democrats like former Miami Beach Mayor Phillip Levine (D) are now calling out the rise of democratic socialism, calling on Democrats to take a stand and embrace “democratic capitalism.”
In an op-ed for The Miami Herald, former Mayor Levine argued that Democrats face “a time for choosing” after what he calls a “democratic socialist takeover” of New York City and a contrasting showcase of pro-business energy in Miami.
In the op-ed, Mayor Levine highlighted the American Business Forum hosted by Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, describing it as “a high-octane pep rally for the American Dream.” The event featured individuals like Tony Robbins, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, global investors, and even President Donald Trump (R), who all addressed what Mayor Levine called “a sold-out crowd of dreamers, immigrants and aspiring entrepreneurs.”
The former Miami Beach Mayor contrasted the event with Mayor-elect Mamdani’s win, arguing that Democrats celebrating Mayor-elect Mamdani celebrate policies that “bulldoze” business rather than build it.
He argued that Miami has become “the capital of capitalism,” noting major relocations including Ken Griffin’s Citadel and the potential departure of New York supermarket magnate John Catsimatidis, who recently said Florida is a “commonsense place to do business.”
The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, Mayor Levine points out, worked with 45 companies last year to bring “more than 10,000 new jobs and $806.5 million in new capital investments.”
Mayor Levine also criticized Florida Democrats for resisting the state’s economic shift, saying they wrongly gravitate toward “democratic socialism in a state filled with people who fled socialism.” To win again, he believes that Democrats must champion “democratic capitalism… that rewards innovation, celebrates hard work and widens the ladder so more people can climb it.”
“The only question is: Will Democrats be ready, or even able, to offer it?” he questioned.
