NYC Socialist Inches Closer to Becoming Mayor

_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani has rocketed into serious contention against former governor Andrew Cuomo in the race for New York City mayor.

Recent polls show a tightening contest, with some indicating Mamdani in the lead for the first time, just days before the June 24 Democratic primary.

As the New York state assemblyman gains traction, he has picked up endorsements from several high-profile progressives and is drawing national attention as a leading progressive voice. His platform, however, would make him one of the most radical politicians in the nation.

_THE FACTS_

• Due to New York’s overwhelmingly left-leaning electorate, winning the Democratic primary is akin to winning the general election.

• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) recently endorsed Mamdani.

• A recent poll found Mamdani leading Cuomo 35 percent to 31 percent, marking his first lead in the race.

• Cuomo’s internal poll showed him winning 56 percent to 44 percent in the final round of ranked-choice voting. Although he’s ahead, this is much closer than it was even just a month ago.

• Mamdani’s platform includes government-run grocery stores and defunding the NYPD.

• His affordable housing plan would require New York City to take on $70 billion in new debt over ten years.

• The New York Times editorial board criticized Mamdani, calling his experience “too thin” for the mayoralty.

• Mamdani’s support is strongest among younger, white, progressive voters; Cuomo leads — more importantly — with older black and Latino voters.

• Mamdani previously refused to vote for a measure condemning the Holocaust, and just recently, refused to condemn calls to “globalize the intifada,” arguing the slogan is an expression of Palestinian rights.

• In a newly surfaced video, Mamdani said he personally pushed the Ben & Jerry’s co-founder to halt ice cream sales in the “West Bank” — a month before the company announced its boycott of Israel.

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