Daijiworld Media Network – New York
New York, Jun 11: In what is shaping up to be a dramatic showdown in the upcoming New York City mayoral election, Indian-origin politician Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a formidable challenger, significantly closing the gap with former governor Andrew Cuomo. The latest polling data shows Mamdani trailing Cuomo by a mere two percentage points in the race, igniting conversations across political circles in the city.
Mamdani, a New York State Assemblyman and a Democratic Socialist, is the son of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and renowned Marxist scholar Mahmood Mamdani. His grassroots campaign has struck a chord with working-class New Yorkers, who he says are "ready for a new generation of leadership."
"Billionaires are consolidating around Andrew Cuomo because they know he will preserve the broken status quo. New Yorkers are rallying behind our campaign because they believe in a city where affordability and justice are not just slogans, but realities,” Mamdani posted on social media platform X. “On June 24, we will shock the political establishment and win a city we can all actually afford.”
The polls, conducted ahead of the June 24 Democratic primary, reflect a sharp shift in voter sentiment. In the first round of ranked-choice voting, Cuomo led Mamdani 51 to 49 percent — a statistical dead heat considering the survey’s three-point margin of error.
Adding to the political heat, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg unexpectedly endorsed Cuomo on Tuesday, praising his administrative experience and claiming he prioritizes “solving problems” over ideology — a thinly veiled swipe at Mamdani’s progressive politics. Bloomberg’s endorsement has raised eyebrows, particularly because he typically refrains from backing candidates during the primaries.
Political analysts suggest the former mayor’s move may be aimed at curbing Mamdani’s growing influence, particularly in light of his strong support from progressive quarters. Notably, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez threw her weight behind Mamdani just last week, further energizing his base.
With just days to go before the final candidate debate on Thursday, all eyes are on Mamdani as he positions himself not only as a contender but as a symbol of political change in one of the world’s most influential cities.