A failed rapper and Democratic socialist has emerged as the frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race.
Zohran Mamdani, 33, is going head to head with former New York City Governor Andrew Cuomo in trying to secure the Democratic primary nomination.
As indicated by Polymarket, Mamdani has surged ahead to become the favorite just a day before the primary vote, with the poll showing a 61 percent chance of him winning.
It is a marked shift from late May, when Cuomo still had a 91 percent chance of winning, according to the cryptocurrency betting market.
Mamdani, currently serving as a three-term state assemblyman representing various parts of Queens, has stirred controversy within Jewish communities due to his support for Palestine.
But prior to his career in politics, he attempted to forge a rap career under the name Mr. Cardamom.
Extraordinary video of Mamdani rapping have since reemerged, showing bopping along in a music video without his shirt on.
Back in 2019, Mamdani announced his decision to take a hiatus from his music career to venture into politics, stating his intention to explore the scenario of a B-list rapper pursuing a political position while maintaining his unique persona.
Extraordinary video of Mamdani rapping have since reemerged, showing bopping along in a music video without his shirt on
Zohran Mamdani, 33, is going head to head with former New York City Governor Andrew Cuomo in trying to secure the Democratic primary nomination
‘I spend each day at work coming up against the legacy of Albany’s bankrupt policies. Our reps have turned family homes into investment properties while letting public housing fall into decay and disrepair,’ he said.
‘I’m running because, like 24% of my neighbors, I’m spending 50% of my income on rent. And yet, there is nothing preventing our landlords from refusing to renew our leases, evicting us w/o good cause, or even from increasing our rents beyond a conscionable amount.’
At the time, Mamdani wanted to guarantee housing for all New Yorkers ‘regardless of ability to pay’, ‘fully eliminate cash bail [and] ban solitary confinement.’
His current proposals include rent freezes, a free city bus service, universal childcare and city-subsidized grocery stores.
Mamdani vowed to pay for his extravagant wishlist by raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers. To do so, he would need the stamp of approval from Governor Kathy Hocul and state lawmakers – who have already rubbished the proposal.
Despite the setback, Mamdani has secured the endorsement of both Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders – both seen as leaders among the progressive movement in the United States.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and raised in Cape Town, South Africa before moving to New York with his family, would be the city’s first Muslim and first Indian-American mayor if elected.
He told WNYC he is ‘one day from toppling a political dynasty.’
Mamdani has secured the endorsement of both Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sander
According to Polymarket, Mamdani pulled ahead to become the favorite on Monday, just one day ahead of the primary vote. The poll gives him a 61 percent chance of winning
‘New Yorkers are done with the cynical politics of the past. They want a future they can afford,’ Mamdani said.
According to the NY Post, Mamdani has little professional experience, having only been employed a total of three years between graduating college in 2014 and his election to the New York State Assembly in 2020.
Since graduating with a degree in Africana studies, Mamdani worked as an organizer for advocacy group MoveOn for four months, followed by a two-month stint at Texas advocacy group TexPIRG.
From there, he worked as a music supervisor on Hollywood film ‘Queen of Katwe,’ which was directed by his mother.
Despite his lack of experience, Mamdani has garnered support from other candidates who are now seen as long shots to win the nominations.
While falling short of endorsing Mamdani, several have spent the last day of campaigning urging voters to leave Cuomo off their ballots in the city’s ranked choice election in a last-ditch effort to block the former governor’s comeback from a sexual harassment scandal.
‘Let’s make sure Andrew Cuomo gets nowhere near City Hall,’ candidate and city Comptroller Brad Lander said Monday on WNYC radio, which interviewed the major candidates ahead of the election.
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, another candidate, similarly asked voters to not vote for Cuomo, telling the station, ‘We need fresh leadership, we need to turn the page and we need bold solutions at this moment.’
Other candidates have spent the last day of campaigning urging voters to leave Cuomo off their ballots in the city’s ranked choice election in a last-ditch effort to block the former governor’s comeback from a sexual harassment scandal
‘You do not have to go back to the name of Andrew Cuomo,’ said Michael Blake, a former state lawmaker running in the primary. He told voters on WNYC that it was time to move on from the former governor.
Cuomo, who won three terms as governor, resigned in 2021 after a report from the state attorney general concluded that he sexually harassed 11 women. He has denied wrongdoing.
Critics say Mamdani is so far to the left that his candidacy will hurt the Democratic party.
Others have criticized his pro-Palestinian rhetoric, including defending the phrase ‘Globalize the Intifada.’
‘When someone spends years relentlessly targeting the world’s only Jewish state through legislation, boycotts and protests — while remaining silent on the abuses of regimes like Iran, China or Russia —it’s not principled criticism, it’s antisemitism, plain and simple,’ Sam Berger, a Jewish Democrat, said in a statement.
‘His rhetoric, accusing Israel of ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid,’ is not only inflammatory and false, it’s part of a broader campaign to delegitimize Jewish self-determination.’
Eleven candidates are on the ballot in the Democratic mayoral primary.
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams isn’t one of them. He’s a Democrat but is running as an independent.
The Republican Party has already picked its nominee, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.
