Does Zohran Mamdani Stand A Chance?

A Lay Of The Political Land in New York City And The Realities Progressives Faces

Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria), a 33-year-old progressive state legislator from Queens, is slowly becoming a household name in New York City. In his third term in Albany, Mamdani is running to succeed embattled Mayor Eric Adams as chief executive of America’s largest city, likely pitting him against the most powerful and prominent New York Democrat of the 21st Century, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Mamdani stunned political observers this week when he revealed he likely raised $8 million for his campaign, which would reach the fundraising cap set by the Campaign Finance Board. Two recent polls have also shown Mamdani, who is running on a campaign supporting policies like a rent freeze, making buses free, and opening city-run grocery stores across the city, in second place in the first round of the June 24th Democratic primary, which will allow voters to rank up to five candidates.¹ Progressives believe momentum is with Mamdani, and some have suggested he is a clarion announcing an anti-Trump leftist renaissance. They’re likely getting ahead of themselves…again. Despite the fundraising success and excitement around his candidacy, Mamdani has a nearly impossible task before him if he is to win the June primary and the November general election. New York City is not the same place politically that elected Bill de Blasio mayor and sent Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) to Congress last decade. Much has changed.