Democrats across Connecticut – and the nation – are reacting to Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani’s stunning upset in the New York City mayoral primary.

Could it mean trouble for older moderates like Gov. Ned Lamont?

Lamont said he’s not worried, and veteran political analysts think he shouldn’t be.

At just 33 years old, Mamdani pulled off what seemed impossible. A socialist is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City.

“I will fight for a city that works for you – that is affordable for you,” Mamdani told supporters on Wednesday morning.

Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who vastly outspent him. Mandani pledged to bring down the cost of living with a rent freeze, free buses and even city-owned grocery stores.

Lamont reluctantly endorsed Cuomo, despite calling for his resignation amid a sexual harassment scandal four years ago.

One-time allies, both are older white men from privileged backgrounds. Both are also self-proclaimed moderates reluctant to embrace progressive policy ideas.

This week, Lamont took heat for vetoing a major affordable housing package and a bill paying striking workers unemployment.

“To put corporations first is not a winning message, and that’s exactly what Gov. Lamont did when he vetoed the striking workers’ bill. He sided with corporations.,” said Ed Hawthorne, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO union. “The Democratic Party needs to change and needs to be more reactive to what the working people need and want.”

But Lamont downplayed Mamdani’s victory.

“Don't overread it,” he said on Wednesday. “I mean, they just nominated, you know, two moderate women in New Jersey and Virginia.”

The next day, Lamont defended his record on progressive causes. This year, lawmakers approved his ambitious plan for free and reduced-price child care.

“I saw what the progressive agenda was there. They said, number one, they want to have universal early childhood and pre-K. We’re already making a down payment on that,” Lamont told reporters. “Look what we’ve done on the minimum wage. Look what we’ve done on paid family and medical leave.”

Lamont recently said that he is “seriously” considering a rare third run for governor. If he does, progressive Democrats like state Rep. Josh Elliott (D-Hamden) may challenge him anyway.

But one veteran political analyst thinks Lamont is safe.

“Because actually, he has high approval ratings,” said Dr. Jonathan Wharton, with Southern Connecticut State University. “He’s one of the top three high approval ratings governors in the United States, and he’s had this for quite a while.”

Lamont enjoyed a 62% approval rating in an April Morning Consult poll. But 44% of voters think he shouldn’t run again, according to a University of New Hampshire survey from May.

“I think he’s a good governor and I'd vote for him again,” said Steve Kapp, of Norwalk. Lamont also appeals to some Republicans, like Henry Hawley, from New Canaan.

“I would consider him to be a pretty much moderate, and if we were running, depending on who the Republican were, I would probably vote for him,” he said.