On the eve of New York City’s pivotal mayoral election, the city finds itself at a crossroads, with voters weighing not only the future of their own neighborhoods but also the direction of progressive politics across the United States. At the center of this high-stakes contest is Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist and Queens state assembly member, whose grassroots campaign has energized thousands and sparked heated debate about the city’s—and the country’s—political soul.
According to The Christian Science Monitor, Mamdani’s campaign has become a rallying point for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), whose New York chapter has more than doubled in size since 2024, now boasting nearly 11,000 members. About 2,000 of those new members joined after Mamdani stunned observers with his June 2025 primary victory over political heavyweight and former governor Andrew Cuomo. Volunteers like Julie Swoope, a DSA organizer in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant, have been canvassing neighborhoods, urging residents to back a candidate who, as she puts it, is “helping people move past just a label to think about the actual issues and policies.”
Mamdani’s “survival agenda” is at the heart of his appeal. Rather than focusing on abstract ideological battles, his campaign zeroes in on the everyday struggles of New Yorkers: affordability, housing, and transportation. He’s proposed free public transit for low- and middle-income residents, city-run grocery stores in each borough, and rent freezes to protect tenants from abrupt spikes. Christina Greer, a political science professor at Fordham University, notes that Mamdani’s focus on affordability has become an “organizing principle”—a way to reengage citizens in shaping their futures. “He offers a vision of hope,” she says, likening his message to Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign.
Yet, Mamdani’s rise has not been without controversy. In an October 28, 2025 article, Rabbi Moshe Grussgott sounded the alarm about Mamdani’s ideology, warning that his “neo-Marxist” worldview poses a threat to New York’s Jewish community and to America at large. Grussgott drew a parallel between Mamdani’s approach and the far-right populism of figures like Tucker Carlson, arguing that both rely on divisive narratives of oppressor versus oppressed. “Mamdani advocates for things overtly hostile and detrimental to [Jews],” Grussgott wrote, calling Mamdani’s refusal to condemn the phrase “Globalize the Intifada” particularly troubling. According to Grussgott, the phrase evokes not only violence against Israeli civilians but also a broader campaign against Jews worldwide, casting them as the ultimate “Western oppressors.”
Adding to the controversy is Mamdani’s family background. His father, a Columbia University anthropology professor, described Hamas rocket attacks as a “Third Intifada against settler colonialism” in 2021, framing them as resistance. Critics argue this rhetoric, echoed in subtler ways by Mamdani himself, is deeply alienating for many Jewish New Yorkers. Grussgott calls on Jewish voters to oppose Mamdani, urging them to support Andrew Cuomo instead, whom he describes as the only viable alternative.
Despite these criticisms, Mamdani’s campaign has tapped into a growing populist sentiment that crosses traditional party lines. As The Christian Science Monitor reports, both progressive Democrats and some MAGA-aligned Republicans are united in their suspicion of global capitalism and international corporations. Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, well known for founding the Guardian Angels, echoes many of Mamdani’s affordability themes—even floating ideas like universal basic income and expanded social housing. “Rents, utilities, food prices—everything keeps going up,” Sliwa told the Monitor. “People need relief, and the city can help deliver it.”
Still, Sliwa’s campaign is polling at just 10% of likely voters, while Mamdani leads with about 45%, and Cuomo trails at 25%. Many New Yorkers, like Astoria resident George Konetsky, remain skeptical about how Mamdani will pay for his ambitious proposals and question whether his “controversial comments” have received enough scrutiny. But others, such as Shannon Marshall, see Mamdani’s lack of political baggage as a strength. “He’s the only candidate who isn’t crazy corrupt,” she says, expressing hope that his outsider status will bring genuine change.
Governor Kathy Hochul has thrown her support behind Mamdani, formally endorsing him in a New York Times op-ed in September 2025. Her endorsement was made public at a rally on October 26, where chants of “tax the rich” erupted as she spoke. Hochul later quipped that she initially thought the crowd was cheering “Let’s go Bills,” referencing the Buffalo Bills NFL team, before realizing the true nature of the chant. “I love the energy out there,” Hochul remarked, emphasizing her role as party leader to unify Democrats behind their nominee.
Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary marked a dramatic upset for Cuomo, who has since launched a third-party bid for the mayor’s office. The general election is shaping up as a rematch, with the added complexity of a resurgent grassroots movement and a divided Democratic establishment. As The Christian Science Monitor points out, establishment Democrats such as Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Hakeem Jeffries have so far withheld their endorsements, reflecting lingering divisions within the party.
Mamdani’s campaign is not just about policy; it’s about building a new kind of political culture. Volunteers are not only knocking on doors but also organizing social events, running clubs, and even soccer leagues—efforts aimed at creating a community that extends beyond election day. Grace Mausser, co-chair of NYC-DSA, says, “We are trying to build a culture for how we govern. It’s inclusive, based on the masses, and empowers people to be part of the change.”
The impact of Mamdani’s campaign is already being felt far beyond New York. DSA chapters in cities like Somerville, Massachusetts, and Minneapolis are adopting his “survival agenda” approach, blending local advocacy with a focus on rent stabilization, public housing, and free transit. Observers say this pivot toward affordability represents both a rebranding and an expansion of the democratic socialist message, drawing in voters who might previously have been out of reach.
Still, the stakes remain high. For supporters, Mamdani represents a break from a political system seen as disconnected from ordinary people’s struggles. For critics, his rhetoric and associations raise serious concerns about the direction of the city and the safety of its Jewish community. As the election approaches, New Yorkers face a defining choice—not just about who will lead their city, but about the values and vision that will shape its future.
Whether Mamdani’s movement marks the start of a new era or a fleeting experiment, one thing is clear: the contest for New York City’s mayoralty has become a microcosm of America’s ongoing struggle over identity, justice, and the meaning of progress.
