WASHINGTON: Early voting for New York City’s mayoral election began Saturday, with Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old state lawmaker of South Asian descent and self-described democratic socialist, emerging as the surprising favorite.
Once a political outsider, Mamdani’s campaign has gained momentum, fueled by progressive young volunteers and growing frustration over the city’s rising cost of living.
His promise to freeze the rents of two million New Yorkers in rent-stabilized properties has resonated in a city where affordable housing is increasingly out of reach.
If elected, Mamdani would be the first Muslim mayor of New York, a historic milestone. Observers, however, point out that his popularity is mainly due to his progressive and socialist positions rather than his faith.
If elected, the legislator of South Asian origin would be the first Muslim mayor of New York
Mamdani advocates for unions, wealth taxes, expanded public transportation, and climate-friendly housing. It also emphasizes social inclusion, protecting undocumented immigrants through sanctuary city policies, advocating for LGBTQ rights, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare and education.
These stances earned him strong support from younger and more diverse voters, including the African-American and Hispanic communities.
“Mamdani has reinvigorated people who feel excluded from traditional politics,” said Moviz Siddiqui of Queens. “It talks about justice and affordability in a way that connects with everyone – Muslim, Jew, Hindu, atheist – it doesn’t matter.”
His opponents have tried to make an issue of his faith. In response, Mamdani vowed to embrace his Muslim identity more openly and called such attacks “racist and baseless.”
“Every Muslim’s dream is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker,” he said Friday at a Muslim gathering outside a Brooklyn mosque.
Mamdani, who has denounced Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “genocide,” has faced online abuse and political backlash. However, a Victory Insights poll from October 22 and 23 shows him leading former Governor Andrew Cuomo by 18 points, with 47 percent support. Republican Curtis Sliwa is at 16 percent.
After a long hesitation, Democratic leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also endorsed Mamdani, signaling party unity ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
“Zohran Mamdani has been tirelessly focused on addressing the affordability crisis and is committed to being a mayor for all New Yorkers,” Jeffries said.
Schumer added: “He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers on affordability, fairness and opportunity,” defending him against conservative calls to denature him.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York as a child. His father is a Ugandan Muslim scholar and his mother, Mira Nair, is an Indian Hindu filmmaker.
This diverse heritage has resonated throughout the South Asian community in New York, uniting voters from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Muslim leaders, however, remain divided. Councilwoman Shahana Hanif called Mamdani “a bridge builder” and highlighted their shared work to heal post-9/11 divisions. Meanwhile, New Jersey-based Nasir Qayyum Khan warned that Mamdani’s progressive stances may conflict with more conservative Muslim values.
Early voting in New York has grown steadily since 2019. In the June mayoral primary, about 35 percent of votes were cast early. This year, early voting will be extended through November 2 and Election Day will be November 4. The winner will take office in January.
Published in Dawn, October 26, 2025
