In almost every recent election we are told, “This is the most important election in our lifetime.” But the November 4, 2025, New York City mayoral race may really be the most important.
Zohran Mamdani, age 33, won the June Democrat mayoral primary upsetting the favorite, the more experienced former New York governor, Andrew Cuomo.
Mamdani has promised a socialist agenda of rent freezes, free bus rides, higher taxes, and city-run grocery stores. As Gerard Baker wrote in the Wall Street Journal, Mamdani speaks to “culturally brainwashed and financially disenchanted young [people]… They will, however, find out, says Baker, that their expensive educations haven’t been the ticket to the self-advancement that they had hoped.”
But Mamdani has vulnerabilities, in particular, his calls to defund the police, and his veiled support for an intifada. Despite attempts to backtrack voters should realize that what he’s said in the past is a good indication of where he stands today.
Despite his vulnerabilities, a recent poll conducted by The AARP New York-Gotham & Analytics poll shows Mamdani at 41.8%, Cuomo (running as an Independent) at 23.4 %, Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee, at 16.5 %, and current New York City mayor Eric Adams, in single digits.
Each candidate has his supporters. Cuomo supporters argue that Cuomo has more managerial and leadership experience than the others. Supporters of Mayor Adams argue that he has recently surrounded himself with good people, notably Police Superintendent Jessica Tisch and First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro. And, while not widely known, Adams has improved housing availability for many New Yorkers.
Curtis Sliwa has particularly strong appeal in the outer boroughs and neighborhoods where crime and public safety are front and center. The demographics go against him, however, in a city where only 11% of registered voters are Republican.
So, how can Mamdani be stopped? First, the field needs to be whittled down to two men. So far, however, none of the candidates has indicated any intention to withdraw. It is possible that if Adams were offered a position in the Trump administration, Adams might drop out. This would seem to be best result for anti-Mamdani voters since, at present, Cuomo is well ahead in the polls.
Turnout is also very important for defeating Mamdani. According to former New York Lieutenant Governor, Betsy McCaughey, turnout must be above 50%, But this is a stretch, not since the Giuliani years has turnout been above 50%. Recent mayoral elections have had turnouts between 23%-29%. McCaughey argues that homeowners, especially in Queens and Staten Island, must turnout in droves if the 50% threshold is to be reached..
But even a two-man race and higher turnout will not be enough. Voters also must appreciate the terrible consequences Mamdani’s socialist policies would have for our city – and yes, even our country.
As Allysia Finley, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, wisely points out, “When Mr. Mamdani’s $30 an hour minimum wage means his youthful supporters have to pay $30 for an espresso martini, they’ll sober up.” (The current minimum wage is $16.50 per hour.) Here, there is some reason for optimism. Recent polls show Mamdani’s favorability ratings have dropped as voters have become aware of just how radical his agenda really is..
And many wealthy New Yorkers have become spooked. These New Yorkers, whose taxes essentially support the city, are likely to move to, or spend most of their time in, low-tax places like Palm Beach, Florida.
There have also been questions raised about Mamdani’s integrity. He falsified his college application to Columbia calling himself “African American” so as to improve his admission chances. He ridicules the rich even though he comes from an upper middle-class family, yet he lives in a rent -controlled apartment.
Yes, my fellow New Yorkers, this really is the most important election in our lifetime.
Robin Weaver Klingenstein is a lawyer and past president of the Women’s National Republican Club.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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