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Polling Underway in NYC Mayoral Race as Mamdani Leads and Cuomo Seeks Comeback
Polling opens in New York City’s fiercely contested mayoral race. Democrat Zohran Mamdani leads against Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, as debates over Gaza, affordability, and party divisions shape the vote.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-25
Polling Underway in NYC Mayoral Race as Mamdani Leads and Cuomo Seeks Comeback

Polling stations have officially opened in New York City for one of the most closely watched elections in the United States this year — the mayoral race that has captured national attention due to its political stakes and the candidates’ sharp ideological contrasts.

Voters are choosing among Democrat Zohran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams remains on the ballot despite having dropped out last month; he has since endorsed Cuomo, attempting to shift moderate Democratic support toward the former governor.

Mamdani’s Rise and Progressive Platform

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and potential first Muslim mayor of New York City, has energized liberal and working-class voters with a progressive platform that includes universal free child care, fare-free public buses, and a rent freeze for over one million rent-regulated apartments.

Mamdani’s campaign has gained momentum despite facing anti-Muslim rhetoric and attacks over his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which he has described as “genocide” — a stance supported by some UN inquiries and human rights groups.

In an emotional speech on Friday, Mamdani denounced the religiously charged attacks against him, saying:

“To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity, but indignity does not make us distinct. There are many New Yorkers who face it. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does.”

Cuomo’s Comeback Bid

Andrew Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 following sexual harassment allegations, has mounted a comeback effort by portraying Mamdani’s policies as financially unrealistic and politically extreme. He has positioned himself as the experienced hand capable of stabilizing the city’s finances and restoring trust in governance.

Meanwhile, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa — founder of the Guardian Angels — trails in the polls but remains a vocal critic of both Democratic contenders, emphasizing crime reduction and fiscal conservatism.

Early Voting and Broader Implications

Early voting, introduced in New York in 2019, continues to grow in popularity. During the June primary, 35 percent of ballots were cast early, signaling strong voter engagement this cycle as well.

The race is being closely watched beyond city limits. In neighboring New Jersey, voters are deciding between Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill in the gubernatorial race — another key contest seen as a bellwether for Democratic strategy ahead of 2026 midterm elections and the ongoing Trump presidency.

Political analysts say the dual contests reflect broader divisions within the Democratic Party.

“New York City pits the progressive wing against the establishment old guard in Mamdani versus Cuomo, while New Jersey is banking on moderate candidate Mikie Sherrill to appeal to its broad middle,” said Ashley Koning, Director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University.

As polls remain open through the evening, voter turnout and ideological divides will determine whether New York elects its first Muslim mayor or witnesses Cuomo’s political revival — a decision with national political reverberations.
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USPolitics

AndrewCuomo

ZohranMamdani

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