Zohran Mamdani Can Compete With Trump!

In the upcoming New York City mayoral election, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is on track to make history. According to recent polling data, he is leading the race. If he wins, Mamdani would become the youngest mayor of the city in over a century, the first Muslim mayor, and the first of South Asian descent.

A few months ago, Mamdani was relatively unknown. He was a hip-hop artist and a housing consultant. Now, he is leading the race to become the mayor of the largest city in the United States, with even former President Barack Obama calling him to praise his campaign last Saturday.

Mamdani's Rise and Political Journey

Currently, Mamdani is leading a three-way race. Through viral videos and podcasts, he has managed to reach a broad base of marginalized voters. His rise comes at a time when trust in the Democratic Party is at a low point.

However, there are questions about whether Mamdani can fulfill his ambitious promises. Without executive experience, concerns have been raised about how he would handle potential attacks from the Trump administration.

Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, focusing on giving more voice to workers rather than corporations. He has become a prominent figure in left-wing politics, alongside figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Former President Donald Trump has already threatened that federal funding to New York City will be cut if the city elects a socialist. In response, Mamdani has stated that he is like Scandinavian politicians—just with darker skin. As New Yorkers struggle with rising living costs, his campaign's focus on rejecting traditional politics and addressing economic inequalities has resonated with voters. This has become his primary electoral issue.

Main Opponent and Campaign Agenda

Mamdani's main opponent in the race is former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who, after losing in the primary, is running as an independent candidate. Cuomo has criticized Mamdani’s anti-business agenda, claiming it would destroy New York City. Although Cuomo positions himself as a challenger to Trump, Mamdani has dismissed him as a “puppet” of the former president. On the other hand, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa has ridiculed both Mamdani and Cuomo.

Mamdani's campaign message revolves around affordable living and improving the quality of life for New Yorkers. His main promises include universal childcare, freezing rent prices, free bus services, and the establishment of government-run grocery stores. These policies have proven popular among New Yorkers who are grappling with the high cost of living.

Financing and Inexperience

Mamdani has proposed raising funds to support his ambitious agenda by taxing corporations and billionaires. He claims this would generate $9 billion in revenue. However, critics argue that his calculations may not be accurate. In order to implement his new tax policies, Mamdani would need to secure support from Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature. While Hochul has expressed support for him, she is opposed to the increased income taxes. However, she is willing to work with him on his $50 billion universal healthcare plan.

In an interview, Mamdani emphasized that protecting democracy requires not just opposing authoritarianism but also addressing the real needs of working-class people.

After winning the Democratic primary in June, concerns were raised among Wall Street leaders, some of whom even threatened to leave the city. However, the mood has shifted, and now many of them are open to cooperating with him. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has even offered to support Mamdani should he win.

Real estate developer Jeffrey Gural believes Mamdani lacks the experience necessary to lead the country’s largest city. He fears Mamdani's tax plans would drive wealthy, high earners out of the city.

Mamdani, however, has actively reached out to critics, recently meeting with 40 business leaders to discuss his agenda and management experience. According to one of the attendees, Mamdani handled all questions very well.

Shifting Stance and Controversy

Mamdani has altered some of his positions in response to criticism. In 2020, following George Floyd's death, he called for defunding the police, describing them as "racist." He has since apologized and shifted away from that stance. Public safety is now one of his top priorities. Mamdani has expressed support for retaining the current police commissioner and has promised to establish a new community safety division within the police department to address mental health concerns.

However, his criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights remains unchanged. This position could create division within New York's predominantly Jewish community. His critics have also spread Islamophobic narratives. Despite this, many Jewish people are actively participating in his campaign.

The Future of the Democratic Party

Democratic analysts believe that New York City voters lean liberal, and while Mamdani’s progressive agenda may resonate locally, it could be less effective on a national scale. The party is divided between centrists and progressives, and Mamdani's rise has caused concern among some national Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has not endorsed him, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries only threw his support behind him just hours before the primary vote.

Some Democratic analysts have suggested that Mamdani’s approach might cause problems within the party's establishment. Trump and Republicans have already begun framing any Democrat—no matter how moderate—as a socialist.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a centrist Democrat from New Jersey, told that Mamdani’s views are incompatible with the Democratic Party. Republicans are likely to use him as a “boogeyman” in their campaigns.

Mamdani, however, is undeterred by the opposition, emphasizing that public support outweighs the criticism. “There will certainly be opposition,” he said, “but there is also more support.”