Zohran Mamdani Surges And Surprises In NYC Mayoral Race

Photo: Instagram

India-West News Desk

NEW YORK, NY – The Democratic primary for New York City’s mayoral race is becoming increasingly competitive, with Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani emerging as a contender. Recent fundraising reports show Mamdani, alongside former Governor Andrew Cuomo, leading the field in financial support.

Mamdani, a progressive Democratic Socialist representing Queens, has raised nearly $845,000 over the past two months. His campaign expects more than $500,000 of that total to qualify for the city’s eight-to-one matching funds program.

Since announcing his candidacy, over 16,000 individual donors have contributed to Mamdani’s campaign. Initially considered a lesser-known candidate, Mamdani’s strong fundraising success has allowed him to establish himself as a challenger, second only to Cuomo in terms of financial backing. For Indian Americans his race is of interest, given that he is also filmmaker Mira Nair and India-born Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani.

Mamdani, who represents the 36th district of the New York State Assembly, is gaining traction as a progressive alternative to Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams. His outspoken stance on issues like immigration, housing, and criminal justice reform has resonated with many voters, reported New York Magazine. Recently, Mamdani criticized the detention of a Columbia University graduate student and green-card holder, underscoring his commitment to immigrant rights.

Cuomo, a former governor with established name recognition, has raised over $1.5 million in just 13 days, with $332,350 eligible for matching funds. His campaign has reported contributions from 2,821 individual donors. While Cuomo remains the front-runner, Mamdani’s recent momentum has caught the attention of political observers.

Mayor Eric Adams has yet to release his latest fundraising figures, amid ongoing legal challenges and shifting endorsements from some of his former supporters. The lack of momentum in Adams’ campaign has created more room for both Cuomo and Mamdani.

Recent polling reflects a competitive race. A Quinnipiac University poll showed Cuomo leading with 31% support among registered Democratic voters, followed by Mayor Adams at 11% and Mamdani at 8%. However, a more recent poll by the Honan Strategy Group showed Mamdani at 12%, indicating his increasing popularity as the race progresses, reported New York Magazine.

Also Read:- Wikimedia Challenges India Court Order Over Free Speech