It’s likely that by the time you read this blog, the New York City mayoral election will be over.
As of November 3rd, the day before the election, polling aggregator Real Clear Polling has Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani at 46.1%, independent candidate and former governor Andrew Cuomo at 31.8%, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa at 16.3%.
Ever since Mamdani convincingly trounced alleged sexual predator Cuomo in the Democratic primary on June 24th, winning 56% of the vote, progressives around the world have been amazed by this incredible human being.
When Mamdani announced his intention to win the Democratic mayoral nomination, he was 1% in the polls with the Democratic establishment’s preferred candidate, Andrew Cuomo, safely in first place with 33% support.
However, Mamdani’s campaign quickly caught fire, inspiring tens of thousands of volunteers to work tirelessly for him. His platform, which spoke to the needs of ordinary New Yorkers, included:
- Providing free public buses or everyone.
- Freezing rents on stabilized apartments.
- Creating a network of city-owned grocery stores focused on keeping prices low.
- Offering free childcare for every New Yorker aged 6 weeks to 5 years.
Mamdani intends to pay for his ambitious platform, at least in part, by raising the corporate tax rate to the same 11.5% level as neighbouring New Jersey, and adding a 2% New York City income tax for anyone making more than $1 million per year. To do this, he will have to get the support of New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a corporate Democrat who so far has been adamantly opposed to Mamdani’s tax plan, although she did finally endorse him in mid-September.
In one of the most electric election events in New York City’s history, Mamdani held a ‘Get Out the Vote’ rally on October 26th. The turnout was stunning – shocking all political observers. Over 13,000 people packed Forest Hill Stadium in Queen’s. U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered what many are describing as the speech that launched her presidential campaign. Senator Bernie Sanders delivered a barnburner of a speech, receiving frequent standing ovations. Numerous labour, political, and religious leaders — including Gov. Kathy Hochul – also spoke, adding their support.
Then came the man everyone had been waiting for. Zohran Mamdani knocked it out of the park.
If Mamdani wins, as seems very certain based on all the polls to date, it will be a victory not just for progressives in New York, but much more importantly, progressives inside and outside the Democratic Party in the U.S. Even for progressives around the world.
Mamdani’s victory will give hope to those who want to sweep aside the old establishment that currently controls so many ‘traditional left’ parties. It is now clear that truly progressive policies can win the day.
Daily atmospheric CO2 [Courtesy of CO2.Earth]
Latest daily total (November 1, 2025): 425.68ppm
One year ago (November 2, 2024): 423.22ppm
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