Three Mayors of Blue Cities in a Polarized America

**Quinton Lucas** (0:00)
I mean, look, and I don't want to be the cliched Mayors get stuff done guy, but really, we deal with every type of group you're talking about, and we still balance a budget at the end of every year. We still find a way to address core issues. I do think that in narrative making, actually having successes is a big part of what is essential for a party going forward.

**Kara Swisher** (0:32)
Hi, everyone. From New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network, this is On with Kara Swisher and I'm Kara Swisher. We're heading into an intense political season ahead of the midterms and as Tip O'Neill once said, all politics is local. Today, we're talking with the Democratic Mayors of three cities that are dealing with some of the biggest issues facing the nation right now, including affordability, housing, and immigration. I think it's really important to talk to mayors. I like mayors and I will talk to a bunch of Republican mayors too, but it's the most critical part of where voters meet their government. And if it's working, they feel good about government. If it's not, they don't. I also have a bone to pick with people that attacked San Francisco a couple of years ago quite falsely when people were trying to fix really significant problems and it's on its way. And so I do think people on the ground should understand why government is a good thing. Mike Johnston is the mayor of Denver, Colorado, currently serving his first term in office, a former teacher, school principal, and Colorado state senator. Mike is also a vice president of the Democratic Mayors Association. Quinton Lucas is the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. Currently in his second term, he's also the youngest person elected to the role since 1855
An attorney and former city councilman, Quinton is the president of the Democratic Mayors Association. Helena Moreno is the mayor of New Orleans. She began her first term in office this year, previously served on the city council and as a Louisiana state legislator. Before getting into politics, she worked as a journalist. She's the first Latina mayor of New Orleans and the city's second woman mayor. Our expert question comes today from none other than Pete Buttigieg, Mayor Pete, the former US Secretary of Transportation, and the former Democratic Mayor of South Bend, Indiana. So stick around.
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**Kara Swisher** (4:28)
Mike, Quinton, and Helena, thanks for coming on on.

**Quinton Lucas** (4:31)
Great to be with you.

**Helena Moreno** (4:32)
Great to be with you.

**Kara Swisher** (4:33)
I love talking to mayors. Just so you know, I'm a fan of mayors. You tend to have a better discussion with people actually running things. But you're governing cities during a time still of intense political polarization.
For Quinton in Missouri, Helena in Louisiana, you're politically at odds with your state government. We're going to cover a lot of issues today, but first I'd like each of you to talk about the moment when you're able to overcome partisan divides at the city or state level or not. What did you accomplish? Mike, you start and then Helena and then Quinton.