New york city: With only five days until the election, New York City's mayoral race has entered its final and most intense stage as debates between candidates focus on relations with President Donald Trump, the war in Gaza, law enforcement, safety, and housing.
According to Anadolu Agency, the weeks leading up to the November 4 ballot have shaped up as a three-way race between Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, former governor and now independent contender Andrew Cuomo, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Early voting has already seen strong turnout, with over 300,000 ballots cast in the first four days, as reported by local sources. A Quinnipiac University poll conducted between October 23 and October 27 finds Mamdani leading with 43% support among likely voters, followed by Cuomo with 33% and Sliwa with 14%.
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic front-runner, has served as a member of the New York State Assembly representing Queens' 36th District since 2020. The 34-year-old secured the Democratic nomination after defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the party primary in June. If elected, he would become the first Muslim mayor in the city's history. Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991 to Indian-origin parents, Mamdani moved to New York at age seven. His campaign focuses on lowering the cost of living for working-class New Yorkers, proposing policies such as rent freezes, free buses, and affordable housing and childcare. Mamdani is known for his outspoken support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's war in Gaza. He has faced criticism for defending the phrase 'globalize the intifada' and for supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Andrew Cuomo, the independent contender, is the former New York Governor who is running after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani in June. He served as the 56th governor of New York State for over a decade before resigning in 2021 following multiple sexual harassment allegations. Cuomo's campaign centers on his 'Safe New York City' agenda, with a focus on public safety and crime reduction. He is a staunch supporter of Israel and is seen as the top choice for pro-Israel voters in the city. However, his campaign has faced accusations of Islamophobia and racism, with incidents such as an altered photo of Mamdani and an AI-generated video mocking Mamdani's South Asian heritage.
Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate, is trailing far behind Mamdani and Cuomo in the polls. Sliwa, 71, is a well-known media personality and radio talk show host, and the founder and CEO of the Guardian Angels, a nonprofit crime-prevention group. His campaign focuses on crime, affordability, homelessness, and mental health care, as well as increasing more police officers. Sliwa has long expressed pro-Israel views and attacked Mamdani over his pro-Palestine stance in the final mayoral debate.