The 33-year-old state assemblyman and self-proclaimed socialist Zohran Mamdani is now the clear leader in the race for mayor of New York City.
Younger progressives and renters have backed him because he promised to freeze rents, make public transportation free, and raise the minimum wage to $30 an hour. But conservatives and Trump supporters have a lot to be happy about because of a string of mistakes and controversial stances.
Key Takeaways
- Mamdani is leading polls with over a 20-point advantage against rivals including Andrew Cuomo.
- His socialist promises, such as a $30 minimum wage and universal childcare, are popular with progressives but raise questions on feasibility.
- Past radical positions on policing, Palestine, and prostitution continue to haunt his campaign.
- Conservatives see his rise as a gift, portraying him as proof of far-left overreach.
- Trump supporters expect backlash that could help Republicans in upcoming elections.
Big Promises, Big Worries
Mamdani’s campaign is all about making things affordable in a city where almost 70% of people rent. He has promised universal childcare, a minimum wage of $30 an hour by 2030, and rent freezes, all of which are very appealing to tenants.
A Times/Siena poll shows that he is more than 20 points ahead of former governor Andrew Cuomo. Donald Trump even called Mamdani a “rebellion” against Democrats in power, like Eric Adams.
But people who don’t like him say that his policies will cost a lot of money. Conservatives are angry about a proposed $100 million program that would give free legal help to immigrants. They say it puts an unfair burden on taxpayers.
Property owners have criticized his efforts to limit Airbnb, saying they show the government is going too far.
Flip-Flops and Old Problems
Mamdani has tried to make himself look better, but his past keeps getting in the way. At first, he wanted to cut funding for the police, but after people protested, he changed his mind and said “community-based prevention.” His response came late because he was traveling abroad after the death of an NYPD officer in July, which led to more criticism.
Here are some of Mamdani’s most controversial issues:
ProblemWhat He Said Then and What He Says NowWhat MAGA Did
The policeSaid the NYPD was racist and backed cutting funding.Now backs working with the police for “safety and justice.””He’s like a chameleon; you can’t trust him!”
Sex workSupported making it legal.Now avoids the subject, which makes Muslim voters angry.”Radical until it gets in the way!”
PalestineChanted things like “globalize the intifada.”Now doesn’t like these kinds of slogans.”Socialist who is secretly against Israel!”
The hashtag #FlipFlopMamdani has been popular on social media, with more than 10,000 mentions. Polls show that 26% of people like him and 51% don’t, which shows how hard it will be for him to win over people who aren’t part of his progressive base.
Why conservatives are paying close attention
Mamdani is the perfect political foil for Trump supporters. People say the Democratic Party is going too far left because he is a socialist, has a history of being against the police, and makes expensive proposals. Fox News commentators have said that his election could cause businesses to leave New York. Conservative voices online say that his policies would bring suburban voters closer to the GOP in the 2026 midterms.
People have said that Trump’s comments about Mamdani being a rebellion against establishment Democrats are a double-edged sword. The left sees it as proof that he is radical, while conservatives see it as proof that he is radical.
What Is Coming
Mamdani’s strong polling shows that he still has a chance to win, but his mistakes could be very important. His changing views on policing, his plan to help migrants, and his connections to the far-left wing of the Democratic Party make him a divisive figure. Endorsements from people like Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may excite progressives, but they also link him to a type of politics that isn’t doing well across the country.
For people who support Trump, Mamdani’s rise is more of an opportunity than a threat. They think that his campaign shows the dangers of far-left rule, which could give Republicans more support in key battlegrounds.
