With only three days left of early voting and the election looming, top Democrats have rallied behind mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, while his opponent, Andrew Cuomo, claims the party is more divided than ever. At a gala in Red Hook, Brooklyn, party leaders celebrated Mamdani’s candidacy and expressed their commitment to electing the first Muslim mayor in New York City.
Attorney General Letitia James spoke passionately about the historic nature of the election, stating, “We’re gonna stand together and elect someone who believes that we should all be united.” Brooklyn Democratic leader Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn echoed this sentiment, showcasing the diverse unity of Democrats in support of Mamdani’s vision for the city. “We are here in unity. Brooklyn is speaking in one voice,” she emphasized.
Recent polls released from reputable academic institutions have shown Mamdani holding a significant lead over Cuomo. An Emerson/PIX 11 poll indicated a 25 percentage point advantage, with Mamdani at 50% and Cuomo at 25%. Other polls from Marist and Quinnipiac confirmed Mamdani’s strong position, with margins of 48% to 32% and 42% to 33% respectively.
In the face of these numbers, Cuomo has positioned himself as a moderate in a party he characterizes as being split between the extreme left and mainstream Democrats. “You have an extreme left… versus the mainstream moderate Democrats,” Cuomo remarked during a media appearance. He cautioned that the far-left would pose a threat to the Democratic Party’s future, both locally and nationally.
On the campaign trail, Mamdani urged his supporters to focus on voter outreach rather than getting distracted by the polls. “Winning this race in and of itself is a mandate to deliver for New Yorkers,” he stated, informing his supporters about the plurality voting system in New York City.
Cuomo also dismissed the polling data, suggesting that upcoming high voter turnout may skew traditional results. Moreover, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa also expressed skepticism about the polls, which he feels are influenced by billionaire endorsements like that of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
As the political landscape shifts, issues of Islamophobia have emerged, especially as Mamdani, a practicing Muslim, faces criticism from Cuomo regarding his policies, which have been labeled as “haram.” In a press conference alongside Mayor Eric Adams and other local leaders, Cuomo maintained that he is not Islamophobic, despite backlash for his divisive rhetoric against Mamdani.
The election serves as a crucial moment in New York City’s political history, with both candidates vying for the support of an electorate that is not only diverse but also increasingly engaged in the political process. The coming days will be pivotal as voters head to the polls to determine the city’s next leader, reflecting the broader national conversation on unity and representation within the Democratic Party.