On Chicago’s Morning Answer, Amy Jacobson and Jim Iuorio welcomed Dr. Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, to unpack the political implications of this week’s primary results in New York City, discuss the long-term strategy for conservative renewal, and outline his vision for reshaping American institutions—particularly education.
The interview opened with reaction to the Democratic primary win of Zeron Mamdani over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York’s mayoral race. Mamdani’s platform—centered on free public services, rent stabilization, and resistance to federal immigration enforcement—prompted immediate criticism from Roberts. He called the candidate’s speech emblematic of a far-left agenda that, if implemented, would steer New York down the same path as cities like London and Paris—models he said Americans should not emulate.
“The good news,” Roberts added, “is that it will further reveal to the rest of the country just how out-of-touch the left has become. It may help conservatives build a lasting majority by offering a clear contrast.”
Turning to the broader cultural and economic landscape, Roberts and Iuorio discussed the role of education in shaping public attitudes toward socialism and government dependency. Roberts emphasized that the left’s long-term success in embedding collectivist values in the classroom has led to a generation unfamiliar with the costs of centralized economic control. His proposed remedy: returning education oversight from the federal level to local communities, empowering parents to drive curriculum changes focused on market principles and civic literacy.
Roberts also introduced the concept of “cost-disease socialism”—a term he uses to describe government policies that respond to affordability crises with more regulation rather than structural reform. “Rent is high, so they freeze rents. Childcare is expensive, so they propose more subsidies,” Roberts said. “But these policies only make the problem worse. We need to connect those dots for students and voters alike.”
The conversation then pivoted to the definition of modern conservatism, which Roberts described not as an ideological label but as a practical commitment to family, community institutions, and decentralization. While he acknowledged that former President Trump avoids the word “conservative” in favor of “America First,” Roberts said the substance of their goals aligns—namely, restoring local governance and institutional trust.
He noted that competition between states is key to this strategy. “Federalism allows states to make mistakes, but it also rewards good governance,” he said. “Illinois may fall behind, but that’s the consequence of bad policy—and it offers a lesson for others.”
Roberts also discussed the Heritage Foundation’s ongoing work on “Project 2029,” a long-range plan to guide conservative policy at the federal level, particularly in preparation for a potential second Trump administration. He said the project includes eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and returning control to states and families.
In a more personal moment, Roberts responded to Iuorio’s question about public health. He confirmed the Heritage Foundation is expanding its focus through an initiative called “Restoring American Wellness,” which addresses the physical and mental health crisis facing young Americans.
On foreign policy, Roberts gave former President Trump high marks for recent strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. He praised the operation’s clarity of purpose—targeting nuclear capabilities without engaging in regime change—and said preliminary assessments suggest Iran’s nuclear infrastructure has been significantly degraded.
Despite sobering assessments of institutional decay and ideological division, Roberts struck an optimistic note. “There’s real hope,” he said. “Across the country, people are saying they want to live in a normal nation again. That’s our focus—not political theater, but restoring the foundations of American life.”
Roberts is the author of Dawn’s Early Light: Taking Back Washington to Save America and the president of the Heritage Foundation. His work focuses on decentralizing federal power and revitalizing civic institutions through conservative policy and grassroots engagement.