On September 6, 2025, the heart of New York City’s political scene beat loudly in Brooklyn as Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor, joined progressive icons Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a pivotal town hall and rally. The event, part of Sanders’ nationwide “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, wasn’t just another campaign stop—it marked a defining moment in a mayoral race already brimming with drama, division, and high-stakes maneuvering.
The day began with a burst of online attention as a photo of Mamdani, Sanders, and Ocasio-Cortez together in Astoria, Queens, went viral, drawing both cheers and jeers across social media. According to Fox News, the image—captioned simply, “A perfect afternoon in Astoria”—quickly racked up more than 350,000 views. For supporters, it was a symbol of unity among the city’s left wing. For critics, it was an easy target for jokes about socialism and wealth. But for Mamdani, it was a chance to reinforce his message: that the city’s future should be decided by ordinary New Yorkers, not outside power brokers or wealthy donors.
“It’s not going to be Donald Trump, it’s not going to be Bill Ackman, it’s not going to be DoorDash. We’ll elect our own mayor,” Mamdani declared to a sea of supporters at Brooklyn College, as reported by CNN. The message was clear—Mamdani was drawing a firm line against what he and his allies see as undue interference in city politics, whether from Republican figures, billionaire donors, or corporate interests.
This year’s mayoral contest is anything but straightforward. After his surprise primary victory in June, Mamdani faced a fractured Democratic Party. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, whom Mamdani defeated in the primary, is now mounting an independent campaign. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, meanwhile, is seeking reelection on a third-party line after falling out with his own party. These dueling bids, according to CNN, have upended the usual “glide path” that a Democratic primary winner would expect in New York City, leaving Mamdani in a race that’s as unpredictable as it is contentious.
President Donald Trump’s shadow looms large over the race, too. Trump himself has commented on the contest, reportedly saying, “He is allowed to do whatever he wants,” in reference to Adams, and warning that a fractured field would make the race difficult to win. Trump denied offering Adams an ambassadorship but made clear he believed Cuomo would have a better shot at beating Mamdani, whom he labeled a “communist.” Mamdani, for his part, has not shied away from confronting Trump’s involvement. “I am just as confident as I was of winning this race, I am just as outraged as I was about Donald Trump’s attempts to intervene in this race,” Mamdani told The New York Post. He added that the focus must remain on the struggles of working New Yorkers, not on distractions from outside actors.
Yet, Mamdani’s approach to coalition-building has been both a source of strength and controversy. He’s pitched himself as a democratic socialist, with proposals like free public buses and state-operated grocery stores funded by higher taxes on the wealthy—ideas that have energized progressives but drawn skepticism from some party leaders. As Fox News noted, Mamdani capped grassroots donations at $8 million, a move aimed at emphasizing his campaign’s reliance on small-dollar support rather than big donors.
Support from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party has been robust. Sanders, who grew up in Brooklyn and turns 84 this year, has used his tour to spotlight younger leaders like Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez. At the Brooklyn College rally, Sanders called Mamdani’s campaign a “test case” for the future of democracy, saying, “What Zohran’s campaign is about is an understanding that today we are living in an unprecedented moment in the modern history of our country, and we have got to fight back in an unprecedented way.” He added, “They have the wealth. They have the power. But you know what we got? And what Zohran’s campaign is showing? We have the people.”
Ocasio-Cortez, too, has been a vocal supporter, leveraging her fundraising network and appearing at campaign events. According to CNN, Mamdani credits Sanders’ presidential campaigns for giving him the language of democratic socialism and shaping his own political vision. The rally even included a heartfelt moment when Mamdani led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to Sanders, underscoring the intergenerational bond among progressive leaders.
Still, not all Democrats are on board. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have withheld their endorsements, wary of Mamdani’s left-wing proposals and his outspoken criticism of Israeli military actions in Gaza. Governor Kathy Hochul, who also marched in the Labor Day Parade, has similarly held back. Sanders, frustrated by this reluctance, told the crowd, “I find it hard to understand how the major Democratic leaders in New York state are not supporting the Democratic candidate.”
Mamdani’s ties to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have also sparked debate. The DSA recently adopted a resolution threatening expulsion for members not strongly anti-Zionist, warning against opposition to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement or collaboration with pro-Israel lobbyists. When pressed on the issue at the parade, Mamdani told The New York Post, “My reaction is that the platform, that I am running on, the one that I want to be held accountable to by New Yorkers is the one that is on my website.” He emphasized his belief in Israel’s right to exist, setting himself apart from the national DSA’s stance and asserting, “The only orders I will be taking are the ones from New Yorkers themselves.”
Mamdani has weathered criticism for past statements, including a call for the “globalization of the intifada,” which he frames as a call for Palestinian freedom. He’s refused to walk back the slogan, arguing that such controversies are distractions from the real issues facing the city. “The focus, however, has to continue to be the struggles of working New Yorkers,” he said, reiterating his commitment to issues like housing affordability and cost of living.
Despite the turbulence, Mamdani’s campaign remains buoyed by strong grassroots support, financial resources, and high-profile endorsements. His meetings with party leaders, including two recent sit-downs with Jeffries, have been described as “frank and constructive,” according to CNN. As the general election approaches, Mamdani’s ability to unite diverse voters—while navigating the push and pull of party factions—may well determine whether his insurgent campaign can turn the city’s political establishment on its head.
As the sun set on Brooklyn that Saturday, one thing was clear: the fight for New York City’s future is far from over, and the outcome may hinge on which vision—establishment pragmatism or grassroots insurgency—resonates most with New Yorkers come November.
