New Yorkers could pick a political newcomer to run their city - and take on Trump

November 2, 2025

Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic socialist assemblyman, is positioned to become New York City's youngest mayor in over a century and its first Muslim and South Asian leader following Tuesday's election. The relative political newcomer has surged ahead in polls by focusing intensely on affordability issues like housing costs and cost of living, promising ambitious programs including universal childcare, rent freezes, and free public transit funded through new taxes on corporations and millionaires. Despite his comfortable lead, Mamdani faces skepticism about his lack of executive experience, questions about whether his financial plans are viable, and criticism from both the business community and moderate Democrats who worry his progressive politics could harm the party nationally.

Who is affected

**Zohran Mamdani** - Democratic mayoral candidate facing both support and criticism
**New York City voters** - making a decision in Tuesday's election
**New Yorkers struggling with cost of living** - targeted by Mamdani's affordability platform
**Wall Street leaders and business community** - concerned about proposed corporate taxes and business policies
**Jewish New Yorkers** - divided over Mamdani's positions on Israel and Palestinian rights, with over 1,100 rabbis signing a condemnation letter
**Muslim New Yorkers** - excited about potential first Muslim mayor representation
**Andrew Cuomo** - main rival running as independent candidate
**Curtis Sliwa** - Republican nominee in the race
**Governor Kathy Hochul** - whose cooperation would be needed for tax implementation
**Democratic Party establishment** - including Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, concerned about national implications
**Trump administration** - threatening to withdraw federal funds
**Jamie Dimon and other business leaders** - shifting from panic to potential collaboration
**Brad Lander** - city comptroller who endorsed Mamdani

What action is being taken

**Mamdani is campaigning** on the Upper East Side, greeting early voters
**Mamdani is meeting with critics**, including business leaders and Wall Street figures
**The business community is shifting** from panic to a more collaborative mood
**Mamdani has police security** due to increased threats
**A Texas man was arrested** last month on charges of making terroristic threats against Mamdani
**Trump is threatening** to withdraw federal funds if New Yorkers elect Mamdani
**Cuomo is running** as an independent candidate and attacking Mamdani's agenda
**Democratic strategists are expressing concerns** about the implications of Mamdani's candidacy for the national party

Why it matters

This election represents a potential historic shift in New York City politics, with voters possibly rejecting establishment politics in favor of a democratic socialist candidate focused on affordability and quality of life issues. The outcome will test whether progressive policies can gain traction in America's largest city and could influence the national Democratic Party's direction, particularly as moderates and progressives continue to battle over the party's identity. Mamdani's potential victory would also mark significant cultural representation as the city's first Muslim and South Asian mayor, though it comes amid heightened tensions over Israel-Palestine policy and increased Islamophobia. The election's results could demonstrate whether addressing material economic needs can build a coalition capable of withstanding both Republican opposition and internal Democratic divisions, making it a closely watched race with implications far beyond New York City.

What's next

**New Yorkers vote on Tuesday** in the mayoral election
**If elected, Mamdani would need to work with** Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature to implement new taxes for his agenda
**Mamdani plans to ask police commissioner Jessica Tisch to stay on** if he wins
**Mamdani would create a new department of community safety** to deploy mental health care teams for non-threatening psychiatric calls
**Governor Hochul wants to work with Mamdani** to achieve universal healthcare if he is elected

Read full article from source: BBC