Alex Soros, the son of the renowned philanthropist George Soros, publicly announced his support for Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race, highlighting an intriguing development in the upcoming 2025 election cycle. In an email to the New York Times on Election Day, Alex Soros expressed his pride in voting for the Democratic candidate, underscoring a continuation of his family’s significant influence in political funding and advocacy for left-leaning policies.
As the newly appointed chair of the Open Society Foundations, which his father established, Alex Soros has taken on a prominent role in advocating for progressive initiatives. The organization has reportedly contributed $37 million over the past decade to various leftist groups that played a pivotal role in promoting Mamdani’s candidacy, including backing from the Working Families Party.
The 2025 mayoral race, which features Mamdani against former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo—who is now running as an independent—and Republican challenger Curtis Sliwa, is set to be a notable contest within a cycle that also features critical gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. Notably, the election landscape is further shaped by George Soros’s earlier commitment of $10 million toward a California ballot initiative aimed at redistricting congressional lines.
While Mamdani’s candidacy has gained momentum, it has also drawn criticism from prominent figures, including former President Donald Trump, who has labeled Mamdani as a “communist” and targeted the Soros family for their financial contributions to various left-wing causes.
This electoral battle, particularly with the involvement of influential players like the Soros family, raises questions about the future direction of New York City’s leadership and the broader implications for progressive politics nationally. The outcome of this race may define not just municipal governance but also set a precedent within the Democratic Party as it navigates the implications of its leftward shift.