A socialist is the frontrunner to be New York's next mayor, after a stunning victory in the New York Democratic mayoral primary. It represents a significant rejection of centrist politics.
ALTHOUGH ALL the polls indicated that former New York mayor Andrew Cuomo was on track to win the New York Democratic mayoral primary, that proved not to be the case. In what has been widely described as a 'stunning upset', 33-year-old socialist and Muslim Zohran Mamdani swept to victory on election night. Cuomo conceded after it became clear that Mamdani had built a substantial lead. After 93 percent of the vote had been counted, Mamdani had 43.5 percent of the vote and Cuomo was on 36.4 percent.
Mamdani will be seen as the frontrunner for the 4 November mayoral election in New York, a city where Democrats normally dominate. His victory is a slap in the face for the Democratic Party establishment, who campaigned for the centrist Cuomo.
Cuomo also had the backing of big money. Billionaires such as former mayor Michael Bloomberg, fearful of Mamdani’s promises to tax the rich, make buses free, and freeze the rent, were determined to stop Mamdani.
According to the New York Times, the Cuomo campaign raised more than $25 million, including an $8 million donation from Michael Bloomberg. Mamdani's campaign raised some $8 million, largely from small donations made by supporters.
Mamdani also had to overcome a hostile New York media. It effectively endorsed Cuomo, while Mamdani was attacked as a 'dangerous socialist' and as 'anti-Semitic' because of his opposition to Israel's genocidal war in Gaza.
Mamdani can expect the media attacks to continue. After his victory, the New York Post headlined on its front page: 'NYC SOS: Who will save the city after radical socialist batters Cuomo in Democratic mayoral primary'? Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded on X: 'Billionaires use the same scare tactics every time to divide working people. It’s all to create hysteria and keep us from achieving the affordable, dignified life we deserve. We won’t fall for it anymore.'
Mamdani, like AOC, is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. The DSA (New York section) posted on X: 'Welcome to the new era, where democratic socialism unites historic coalitions, beats the billionaire class and charts the new path to a city we can afford, built by and for working people. We’re proud to have been the backbone of this historic campaign'.
CNN chief data analyst Harry Enton summed up the election by saying, 'The people who hate this result the most are the Democratic establishment. We have seen poll after poll showing Democratic voters fed up with their leaders in Washington, fed up with their leaders in government.'
It was the Democratic Party's centrism that delivered the United States and the world, the far right politics of Donald Trump. But Mamdani's victory has put the Democratic Party establishment on notice; people are ready to turn the page and usher in a new era of leadership.
Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn posted on X: 'Congratulations to @ZohranKMamdani on your incredible victory. Your campaign proves what can happen when a grassroots movement stands up to corporate greed, defends the humanity of Palestinians, and makes no apology for its belief in a more equal and affordable society for all.'
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