Mamdani's overwhelming candidacy not only mobilizes the youth but has also exposed internal divisions within the Democratic Party and provoked the anger of the President of the United States.
Mamdani, who until recently was an unknown member of the state legislative assembly, is an immigrant, socialist, and Muslim. His rise has revolutionized city politics, driven by personal charisma, the use of social media, and the slogan "Our time is now". The Democratic electorate has supported his agenda focused on the cost of living, impossible rents, inflation, and public transportation, showing their discontent towards political figures of the past.
The elections have turned into a national political battleground. The U.S. President has attacked Mamdani, labeling him a "communist" and threatening to cut federal funds allocated to the city if he is elected. The President specifically called for votes for former Governor Andrew Cuomo, an independent rival who remains in the race despite facing allegations of sexual harassment. Cuomo and the Republican Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, are the other candidates "with chances," although polls only give Sliwa about a 15% share of the vote.
Currently, most polls give Mamdani a lead of between 10 and 20 points, with around 45% of the vote share. Betting houses place the probability of his victory between 90% and 97%. This optimism is reinforced by a record number of over 735,000 New Yorkers who opted for early voting, a turnout that, according to experts, benefits the Democratic candidate.
On the last day before the elections, Mamdani symbolically crossed the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall in Manhattan, declaring that "a new day, a new era for New York begins". Aware of the attacks on his lack of experience, Mamdani has moderated his positions, apologizing to the city's Police for past criticisms and seeking advice from experts, businessmen, and officials. Amid the crowd chanting "Tax the rich!", Mamdani emphasized the need for City Hall to be "the light that our city and our nation desperately need."