New York City is gearing up for a historic mayoral election on November 4, as early voting begins. Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani faces off against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Polls show Mamdani holding a double-digit lead, though Cuomo is narrowing the gap.

Zohran Mamdani: The progressive frontrunner

Democratic candidate Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a 34-year-old New York State Assembly member representing Queens’s 36th District since 2020, emerged victorious in the June primary after defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. If elected, Mamdani would become the first Muslim mayor in New York City’s history.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991 to an Indian-origin family, Mamdani moved to New York at age seven. His mother, Mira Nair, is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a Columbia University professor. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and holds a degree in African Studies from Bowdoin College. He is married to Syrian artist Rama Duwaji.

Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist and is running on a progressive platform focused on lowering living costs for working-class New Yorkers. His policy proposals include rent freezes, free bus services, affordable housing, and expanded childcare.

A vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, Mamdani has pledged to “stand up to any federal overreach” in New York City.

Pro-Palestinian stance sparks national debate

Mamdani is known for his outspoken support of Palestine and criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza. Following the recent ceasefire, he declared, “We must build a world rooted in justice, not occupation or apartheid—where everyone can live with dignity and security.”

He has long supported the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, calling for economic pressure on Israel over human rights abuses, a stance that has drawn accusations of antisemitism—which Mamdani firmly denies.

In 2023, he joined a hunger strike outside the White House calling for a ceasefire and once said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested if he entered New York, citing alleged war crimes.

Andrew Cuomo: Independent comeback under fire

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, is attempting a political comeback as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani. Cuomo previously served over a decade as the state’s 56th governor but resigned in 2021 amid multiple sexual harassment allegations.

The son of late Governor Mario Cuomo, he grew up in Queens and studied at Fordham University and Albany Law School. His campaign centers on public safety, proposing to add 5,000 NYPD officers and enhance subway security under his “Safe New York City” plan.

However, Cuomo’s campaign has been dogged by Islamophobia allegations. In a recent radio interview, he laughed when a host suggested Mamdani “might celebrate another 9/11,” prompting widespread outrage. Mamdani’s team also accused Cuomo’s PAC of altering his photos to make his beard appear darker—calling it “blatant Islamophobia.”

Adding to the controversy, Cuomo’s social media account briefly posted an AI-generated video mocking Mamdani’s South Asian heritage before deleting it and calling it a “mistake.”

Cuomo remains popular among pro-Israel voters and recently joined a legal team defending Netanyahu against the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant.

Curtis Sliwa: The conservative challenger

Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, 71, trails far behind in polls but insists he will stay in the race. Known as a radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels, a crime-prevention group formed in 1979, Sliwa’s campaign focuses on law enforcement, homelessness, mental health, and affordability.

Sliwa emphasizes community safety and has long attended the annual Israel Day Parade. During the latest mayoral debate, he accused Mamdani of supporting “global jihad” and claimed the Democrat “has no love for Israel or Israelis.”

Though his rhetoric appeals to some conservative voters, analysts say Sliwa faces an uphill battle in a city where Democrats dominate the electorate.