Andy Park: Democratic socialist Zoran Mamdani remains the front runner in the New York mayoral race. Ahead of the former governor of New York State, Andrew Cuomo, who’s running as an independent after Mamdani pipped him for the Democratic nomination. In some ways, it’s a battle for the soul of the Democratic Party. And then there’s a third candidate, a beret wearing Republican who runs his own anti-crime group that patrols the city streets. As Bridget Fitzgerald reports.
Bridget Fitzgerald: He certainly doesn’t look or sound like most traditional establishment politicians in the United States, but that appears to be working in Zoran Mamdani’s favour.
Peter Lusted: The name is Mamdani. M-A-M-D-A-N-I. You should learn how to say it because we got to get it right.
Bridget Fitzgerald: The 34 year old is currently the front runner in this week’s New York City mayoral race. He’s on the brink of making history, on track to become the youngest mayor the city’s had in a century, winning over voters by taking to the streets, shaking hands with taxi drivers, populist policies and displaying a savvy social media campaign. Zoran Mamdani surprised and upset the Democratic Party establishment when he beat former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for the mayoral candidacy back in June. After losing the Democratic nomination, Andrew Cuomo opted to run as an independent and has repeatedly criticised Mamdani’s inexperience, including at an event in Queens at the weekend.
Andrew Cuomo: Homeowners in Queens, families who have children, they need public safety first.
Bridget Fitzgerald: While polls show Mamdani is leading Cuomo, the gap is narrowing. Adding to the uncertainty, there’s a third candidate, Republican Curtis Sliwa, a talk show host who wears a signature red beret. He’s a well-known New Yorker and founder of a group called Guardian Angels, a volunteer organisation that patrols city streets in an attempt to prevent crime. Sliwa has regularly condemned what he’s described as migrant crime. Despite not having a chance of winning, Sliwa has refused to exit the race.
Curtis Sliwa: It’s time for a new generation, a new generation of Republican leaders.
Bridget Fitzgerald: New York magazine columnist and former political candidate Ross Barkan worked with Zoran Mamdani when Mamdani managed his state Senate campaign in 2018.
Ross Barkan: He is a very talented, ambitious and savvy person. He’s someone who I always thought would have a political future.
Bridget Fitzgerald: Mamdani is young. He’s both Muslim and an immigrant. Born in Uganda, he became naturalised in the US in 2018. His background and left-wing socialist policies have been slammed by President Donald Trump, who’s threatened to strip funding from New York if he’s elected. But Ross Barkin says it’s unlikely to be a deterrent.
Ross Barkan: There’s no doubt that New Yorkers broadly are tired of Trump and have been for some time. And they want someone who seems like he’s ready to take the fight to him.
Bridget Fitzgerald: Mamdani has won over voters with ambitious policies such as universal child care, free city buses and rent freezes. But he’s also been criticised that they are costly and unrealistic. And he’s toned down some of his more socialist proposals, like disavowing his previous calls to defund the police. Ross Barkan says that will have swayed some, but not all, moderates.
Ross Barkan: There’s a lot of voters who don’t identify as socialists who are still willing to support early voting is now closed ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, local time.
Andy Park: Bridget Fitzgerald.
