Mayors are geopolitical leaders now — we should treat them that way
This article appeared in The Hill on March 14, 2026
Immigration raids. Trade disruptions. Climate disasters. Pandemic recovery.
These are not abstract national debates — they are daily realities in American cities. And increasingly, mayors are the ones managing their consequences.
As trust in Washington sinks to historic lows, mayors stand out as some of the most credible voices in American government. Nearly 70 percent of Americans say they have confidence in their local government. In a period of deep national division, that confidence is elevating mayors beyond potholes and public works and into geopolitical leadership.
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Read more of Leigh’s article in The Hill
Written by Leigh O’Neill
Leigh is a Senior Advisor for the Institute for Global Affairs at Eurasia Group’s City Leaders in Global Affairs program.
