(NewsNation) — After an unexpected upset in the primary, Zohran Mamdani is leading in polling ahead of the Nov. 4 election for mayor of New York City.
Mamdani is running against Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Andrew Cuomo, whom he defeated in the Democratic primary.
The winner of November’s general election will replace outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who ended his reelection bid in September.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Mamdani is a current state assemblyman who identifies as a Democratic socialist and has also been termed a progressive.
Zohran Mamdani remains on top with Jewish voters: Poll
Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991 to parents of Indian descent. The Mamdani family immigrated to the U.S. when he was 7 years old.
He attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and graduated with a degree in Africana studies in 2014. He became a naturalized citizen in 2018. Mamdani is Muslim and is married to animator Rama Duwaji.
Before running for state assemblyman, Mamdani worked as a foreclosure prevention and housing counselor, helping people avoid eviction or foreclosure. He has also composed and produced rap music.
He has served as the state representative for New York’s 36th State Assembly district since 2020.
What are Zohran Mamdani’s views on the war in Gaza?
Mamdani has been critical of Israel and supportive of Palestine and has said he believes the country is committing genocide in Gaza.
NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani, AOC meet in Washington
He has said that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes to New York, he should be arrested in accordance with a warrant obtained by the International Criminal Court.
What are Zohran Mamdani’s views on immigration?
Mamdani supports New York’s sanctuary laws and has advocated for strengthening them to limit which actions Immigration and Customs Enforcement can take.
He has also pledged that if he becomes mayor, all detained immigrants will be given legal counsel.
What are Zohran Mamdani’s views on crime?
Mamdani has advocated for a community-based approach to crime, including homeless outreach, anti-violence programs, expanded mental health outreach and programs to support long-term stability and recovery.
He has proposed a civilian-run mental health organization that could be dispatched to mental health crisis 911 calls instead of police.
New York Democrat says Mamdani is ‘too extreme’ to lead NYC
Although Mamdani has called for defunding the police in the past, he has said he would work with the New York City Police Department as mayor when it comes to responding to violent crime.
Who has endorsed Zohran Mamdani?
Mamdani has received endorsements from Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
He also has endorsement from Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., as well as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.
The general election for New York City’s mayoral race is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
