Zohran Mamdani greets early voters at campaign events
(MENAFN) Zohran Mamdani’s campaign trail through Manhattan’s Upper East Side drew nonstop attention from supporters, many stopping him for selfies and greetings. “We support you, man,” shouted a taxi driver as Mamdani rushed across the street to shake his hand, while press cameras captured each encounter.
At 34, Mamdani is poised to potentially make history in Tuesday’s mayoral vote, potentially becoming the youngest mayor in more than a century as well as New York City’s first Muslim and South Asian leader. Just months ago, the Democratic nominee was relatively unknown.
His journey spans roles as a hip-hop artist, housing counsellor, and New York State assemblyman to frontrunner for a city government overseeing a $116bn budget under global scrutiny.
By leveraging viral content and engaging with podcasters and online creators, Mamdani has connected with disillusioned voters during a period of low faith in the Democratic Party among its own members. Yet concerns remain about whether someone with no executive experience can deliver on bold promises, particularly while facing the likely scrutiny of a combative Trump administration.
His growing national profile has also complicated his relationship with the party establishment. Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, advocating for worker empowerment over corporate interests, in line with figures such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, with whom he has frequently shared a stage.
Trump has warned he might withhold federal funds if a “communist” wins New York City. Mamdani responded, “I'm more like a Scandinavian politician, only browner.” A victory would signal voter rejection of conventional politics amid rising living costs, which Mamdani prioritizes above all.
His main opponent in Tuesday’s election is former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, running independently after losing the primary. Cuomo criticizes Mamdani for an “anti-business agenda that would kill New York” and claims he alone can stand up to Trump, a point Mamdani disputes, calling Cuomo the president’s “puppet.” Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa ridicules both, saying in a debate, “Zorhan, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City.”
Mamdani has centered his campaign on affordability and quality-of-life issues, promising universal childcare, rent freezes for subsidized units, free public buses, and city-run grocery stores—messages resonating with residents burdened by high living costs. “I support him because I'm a housing attorney and I see how the cost of living just keeps going up and up and up,” said Miles Ashton outside a candidates’ debate. “We all want an affordable city.”
Funding for these initiatives would come from taxes on corporations and millionaires, projected to generate $9bn, although critics question the accuracy of his calculations. Support from the state legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul would be necessary for new tax measures. While Hochul has endorsed Mamdani, she opposes income tax hikes but aims to collaborate on universal healthcare, the largest single item in Mamdani’s $5bn plan.
Riding the M57 bus to showcase his free transit proposal, Mamdani explained his approach: “It's time for us to understand that to defend democracy, it's not just to stand up against an authoritarian administration. It is also to ensure that that democracy can deliver on the material needs of working class people right here. That's something we've failed to do in New York City.”
Among those hesitant to vote for him, the feasibility of funding his agenda and his lack of executive experience remain key concerns. Following Mamdani’s primary victory in June, some Wall Street leaders threatened to leave the city. Yet, recent sentiment has shifted toward engagement rather than alarm, with figures like JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon expressing willingness to collaborate if Mamdani wins.
Real estate developer Jeffrey Gural believes Mamdani’s inexperience could hinder his leadership, warning that rent freezes could harm tenants and taxes on the wealthy might drive high earners away. Still, Gural supports universal childcare, a benefit he already provides his casino staff in upstate New York.
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