As Zohran Mamdani walked the streets of the Upper East Side for a campaign event to greet early voters, he could barely walk a few steps without being stopped by his supporters.
Two smiling young women looked starstruck and told him they followed him on Instagram. The millennial Democratic nominee for mayor thanked them before posing with another young man who had readied his phone for a selfie.
With a comfortable lead in the polls, the 34-year-old is on the brink of making history as the youngest mayor in over a century and the first Muslim and South Asian leader of the city. A relatively unknown figure just months ago, few could have predicted his rise, from hip-hop artist and housing counselor to frontrunner to lead New York, a city with a $116bn budget.
Leading a three-way race
Mamdani's path to potential mayoralty is marked by viral videos and outreach to disaffected voters, reflecting a political landscape increasingly wary of traditional party lines. He presents himself as a democratic socialist, advocating for taxing the wealthy to fund expanded social programs, and embodies a fresh vision amidst skepticism toward conventional politics, including hostility from the Trump administration.
As he challenges figures such as Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, Mamdani promises rent freezes, universal childcare, and free public transportation, resonating with economically stressed New Yorkers.
A divided city on crucial issues
Yet, his views on policing and foreign policy remain contentious—he has previously called for defunding the police but has since softened his stance, emphasizing community safety with mental health resources.
As election day approaches, Mamdani's support and criticism continue to swirl, navigating an electorate that is both enthused and skeptical about his ambitious plans. The stakes are high; his success or failure could redefine the future of New York politics, impacting not just local dynamics but also setting a tone for the wider Democratic party nationally.
