'Democratic Socialist' Mamdani Poised for Victory in New York Mayoral Election on the 4th
Leads With Progressive Pledges Like Rent Freeze, Free Buses and Childcare
'Mamdani Phenomenon' Topples Cuomo, Ignites 'Trump Reckoning'
Son of a Professor and a Film Director... Second-Generation Elite Immigrant
Mamdani's 'Progressive Experiment' Set to Shake Up Washington, D.C. Politics
"Zohran Mamdani would be an unexpected choice for New York City, the capital of American capitalism." (The New York Times)
"Today, New York City will decide whether the capital of capitalism will be run by a socialist." (Bloomberg News)
On November 4 (local time), the possibility of the first Muslim mayor being elected in New York City has grown significantly. The main figure is Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old New York State Assemblyman. In June of this year, he achieved an upset victory in the Democratic primary by defeating prominent politician and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, running on a progressive platform that included a rent freeze, free buses and childcare, and the introduction of a wealth tax.
This election, held after the re-election of President Donald Trump, serves as the first midterm assessment of the Trump administration, along with the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia. As American society trends toward conservatism, if Mamdani's victory is confirmed, it is expected to cause significant ripples in the U.S. political landscape. However, there are also growing concerns regarding Mamdani's lack of political experience and his frequent populist promises.
Unprecedented Voter Turnout... New York's First Muslim Mayor on the Horizon
On this day, the United States held so-called "mini local elections" to elect not only the New York City mayor but also the governors of New Jersey and Virginia. This election is the first local election since President Trump took office in January of this year, serving as a barometer of public sentiment toward the Trump administration and a prelude to next November's midterm elections. Among these, the New York mayoral race has drawn the most attention, with record voter enthusiasm amid the "Mamdani phenomenon." According to the New York City Board of Elections, more than 1 million people participated within the first 12 hours of voting, and including 735,000 early voters, a total of 1.85 million people cast their ballots. This surpasses the final turnout of 1.1 million in the 2021 New York mayoral election, demonstrating the high level of interest among New Yorkers in this election. Voting concludes at 9 p.m. on this day.
According to polling agency Atlas, Mamdani leads with 40% support, significantly ahead of independent former Governor Cuomo at 34%. Barring any surprises, his victory is highly likely. If elected, he would become the first Muslim mayor of New York City and the first Indian-American mayor in U.S. history.
Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayoral candidate (right), and spouse Rama Douazi. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
'Democratic Socialist' Mamdani... A Progressive Politician from an Elite Immigrant Family
The backdrop of the Mamdani phenomenon lies in the frustration of New Yorkers weary of high prices and living costs. He advocates for democratic socialism, emphasizing the strengthening of justice, equality, and solidarity through socially owned enterprises based on democracy. His core pledges, such as rent freezes, affordable housing, free buses and childcare, and the introduction of a wealth tax, are rooted in this philosophy. The overwhelming support from the younger generation and working-class citizens burdened by living costs is considered the driving force behind Mamdani's campaign. However, doubts remain as to whether someone with less than five years of political experience is capable of leading a massive city of 8.5 million people with an annual budget of $112 billion. Criticism of his radical left-leaning stance and populist promises also persists.
Despite championing progressive values, Mamdani comes from a traditionally elite family. Born in Kampala, Uganda in 1991, he immigrated to New York at age seven, graduated from Bronx High School of Science and Bowdoin College, and obtained U.S. citizenship. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a professor of government, anthropology, and African studies at Columbia University, while his mother, Mira Nair, is a Harvard-educated film director whose work has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In May of this year, he married Rama Douazi, a Syrian-born illustrator.
'Progressive Experiment' by Mamdani: Will It Shake Up Washington, D.C.?
If Mamdani's victory as New York City mayor is confirmed, it is expected to have significant repercussions not only for next year's midterm elections but also for the broader U.S. political establishment. Observers are watching to see how far Mamdani's "progressive experiment," which began in the "heart of capitalism," can shake up the political landscape in Washington, D.C.
This election serves as a midterm assessment of public sentiment toward the Trump administration. In the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, Democratic candidates are also expected to prevail, fueling the narrative of a "Trump reckoning." While New York is traditionally a Democratic stronghold, analysts note that backlash against anti-immigration policies, the repeal of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies, and federal workforce reductions-hallmarks of "Trump-style unilateralism"-have been reflected in the election results. Previously, President Trump criticized Mamdani as a "communist" and warned that he would cut New York City's support budget if Mamdani won, but the mood in Mamdani's hometown has shifted in his favor. The New York Times assessed, "This election is being held amid the collision of local and national factors such as intensified immigrant deportations, heightened political polarization, and anxiety over living costs," adding, "It has the potential to reshape New York's longstanding power structure and send a message about the Democratic Party's future direction following last year's presidential defeat."
The Democratic Party is both hopeful that this election could restore its presence as the opposition and concerned about the potential for intensified internal divisions. In particular, Mamdani's victory, driven by radical pledges, could pressure the party to shift further left. As a result, there are concerns that moderate voters may defect in next November's midterm elections. Matt Bennett, Executive Vice President of the political think tank Third Way, commented, "Mamdani's victory poses a serious political problem for those within the Democratic Party who believe the party's main goal should be to expand its base in Republican areas and swing states and pave the way back to Congress and the White House," adding, "Mamdani's democratic socialist platform essentially hands the Republican Party a set of weapons to attack the Democrats."
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