Who’s afraid of Zohran Mamdani?

October 28, 2025

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, has emerged as the frontrunner by focusing his campaign on practical economic issues like affordable housing, public transportation, and childcare rather than cultural divisiveness. His October 27th rally drew 13,000 supporters to Forest Hills Stadium, demonstrating significant grassroots enthusiasm as early voting began in the Democratic primary. Establishment opponents backed by wealthy donors have responded with attacks invoking antisemitism, communism, and Islamophobia rather than engaging with his policy proposals.

Who is affected

Zohran Mamdani (34-year-old democratic socialist mayoral candidate)
New York City working-class residents, particularly in outer boroughs
Mamdani's billionaire-backed establishment opponents
Various diaspora communities in New York (Irish, Italian, Jewish, Black, Latino, Native, Asian American populations)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (supporter who spoke at the rally)
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo (who has attacked Mamdani)

What action is being taken

Early voting is underway in the mayoral primary (began one day before the October 27 rally)
Mamdani is campaigning on policies addressing rent, transit, childcare, housing, and food access
Opponents are launching attacks accusing Mamdani of antisemitism, engaging in red-baiting, and Islamophobic fearmongering
Mamdani is "further embracing his Muslim identity" in response to attacks

Why it matters

This election is significant because it represents a test of whether working-class, transformational politics can succeed in New York City, the cultural and financial capital of the United States and home to major global institutions. The campaign challenges decades of austerity, policing, and real estate speculation policies by proposing to govern the city from the bottom up for working people rather than elites. New York's historical role as a sanctuary for immigrants and marginalized communities gives this contest broader symbolic importance beyond typical municipal elections, potentially demonstrating whether multiracial, working-class coalitions can achieve political power in the heart of global capitalism.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper