New York City voters head to the polls amid intense political drama as President Donald Trump intervenes in the mayoral race, openly supporting Andrew Cuomo and criticizing the Democratic Socialist candidate Zoran Mamdani.
Trump has repeatedly labeled 34-year-old Mamdani a “communist” on social media, warning that if he becomes mayor, the city would face “ZERO chance of success” and might even risk its survival. He further threatened that federal funding could be sharply reduced, leaving the city with only the minimum required support.
Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has campaigned on progressive policies including rent control, free bus transportation, and subsidized daycare, funded by higher taxes on the wealthy and businesses. If elected, he would become the first Muslim mayor of New York City, which is home to over 8 million residents.
Despite the president’s endorsement of Cuomo, polls indicate that Mamdani is leading by 4.5 to 16 percentage points. Cuomo, a former state governor running as an independent, faces a challenging path after losing the Democratic primary. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, 71, is considered unlikely to win.
The election has already seen record early voting, with approximately 735,300 ballots cast, four times the early turnout in 2021. Polls suggest New Yorkers continue to lean heavily Democratic, though Trump’s intervention adds a controversial twist to the race.
National figures have also weighed in: former President Barack Obama praised Mamdani’s campaign, condemning Islamophobic attacks against him, while Democratic leadership remains divided in their support.
Election day in New York runs from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time, with all eyes on whether Mamdani can overcome high-profile opposition and make history as the city’s next mayor.
This election occurs alongside significant contests in other U.S. states, including gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, and a high-profile ballot initiative in California affecting electoral districts.
