A City on the Brink
In November 2025, New Yorkers may face their most consequential mayoral choice in decades — and not for the better. With current Mayor Eric Adams stepping away from the Democratic primary and running as an independent, the door has opened to a volatile showdown between former Governor Andrew Cuomo and far-left State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who represents the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and an aggressive anti-establishment agenda.
This is no ordinary election. This is a referendum on the future of America’s greatest city — and the stakes could not be higher.
Who Is Zohran Mamdani? A Radical With a Record
Assemblyman Mamdani, elected in 2020 from Queens, is a prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He has called for the abolition of ICE, defunding the police, and a ceasefire with no preconditions in Gaza even after the October 7, 2023 massacre that left over 1,200 Israelis dead — including women and children — in the worst terrorist attack against Jews since the Holocaust.
He refused to denounce Hamas by name, and instead co-sponsored legislation demanding the U.S. “end all military aid to Israel,” even while American hostages remained in Gaza. In public statements, Mamdani has called for a “global intifada” — a loaded term historically associated with violent uprisings and acts of terror against Israeli civilians.
For many New Yorkers, especially the Jewish community, this rhetoric is not just radical — it is dangerous. Mamdani’s refusal to condemn Hamas and his association with extremist anti-Israel movements such as BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) raise serious questions about how he would represent the diverse population of the city — and whether he would use the mayor’s office as a platform to spread global ideologies of division and resentment.
Zohran Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991 to a Muslim family.
His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a renowned Ugandan–Indian academic at Columbia University who has publicly called for “dismantling the Jewish state” in past remarks.
His mother is celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair, who reportedly backed efforts to block Israeli actress Gal Gardot from participating in the Oscars—part of a broader anti-Israel push. Mamdani himself is a Shia Muslim, naturalized in 2018, and active within the Democratic Socialists of America.
Andrew Cuomo: A Tainted, But Known Quantity
On the other side stands Andrew Cuomo, running not as a Democrat but as the head of the newly created Serve NYC Party. Cuomo left office under the cloud of a sexual harassment investigation and pandemic mismanagement allegations. Yet for all his flaws, Cuomo governed as a centrist, strong on public safety, and consistently pro-Israel throughout his time in Albany.
Cuomo has the support of a wide range of traditional Democrats, independents, and even some Republicans who view him as a firewall against the far-left radicalization of City Hall. While many voters are wary of Cuomo’s return, they also understand that — unlike Mamdani — he will not defund the NYPD, promote anti-American foreign policy stances, or align with fringe activists.
Public Safety: A Stark Contrast
Under Cuomo, law enforcement funding increased, and he resisted many of the far-left calls to abolish policing institutions. Mamdani, by contrast, is part of the movement that demonizes police officers and seeks to eliminate traditional policing altogether.
New York City has only just begun recovering from the post-2020 crime wave. Homicides, car theft, and random assaults remain serious problems. The last thing this city needs is a mayor who views law enforcement as the enemy. Cuomo may not be perfect, but he does not endanger the city’s safety apparatus — Mamdani does.
Economic Reality vs. Socialist Dreams
Mamdani advocates for a radical restructuring of New York’s economy — from guaranteed housing and public banking to massive tax increases on businesses and homeowners. His platform echoes the failed policies of Venezuela and other socialist experiments, where “equity” was pursued at the cost of collapse.
Cuomo, while far from a fiscal conservative, at least understands the importance of keeping Wall Street in New York, supporting job creation, and maintaining an economic engine that funds vital services.
Foreign Policy Matters — Even in a Local Race
Some argue that a mayor’s foreign policy views do not affect local governance. But in New York City, which houses the world’s largest Jewish population outside Israel, the U.N., and thousands of multinational corporations, they absolutely do.
Mamdani’s radical anti-Israel views — including his call for the U.S. to halt aid to a democratic ally under siege — would likely poison city relations with Jewish communities, Israeli institutions, and national leaders. His elevation would be a message to the world that New York no longer stands against terrorism or for democratic allies.
Mamdani’s campaign has been heavily linked to pro‑Palestinian campus protests that escalated into anti-Israel and sometimes antisemitic violence—including at Columbia University—where he refused to endorse police intervention in encampments, praising rather than condemning their actions. During a synagogue forum at B’nai Jeshurun, he announced he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if Netanyahu visited New York City—citing an International Criminal Court warrant—as part of his pledge to enforce “international law” at the mayoral level.
Cuomo’s record, on the other hand, includes multiple visits to Israel, support for Holocaust education, and active partnership with Jewish advocacy organizations. He represents stability in a time of ideological chaos.
The Lesser of Two Evils — and a Necessary Choice
New Yorkers are not excited about this race — and for good reason. Cuomo has baggage, and Eric Adams is running as a weakened independent with low polling numbers. But Zohran Mamdani represents a genuine danger: a candidate who promotes divisive ideology, refuses to denounce terrorism, and could turn New York into a national embarrassment on the global stage.
This election is not about liking the candidates — it’s about survival. It’s about protecting New York’s businesses, communities, law enforcement, and standing in the world.
Conclusion: A Dangerous Gamble
If Mamdani becomes the Democratic nominee — a likely scenario after today’s primary — New Yorkers must come to terms with the reality of their choices. In that race, Cuomo becomes not just the lesser of two evils, but a critical firewall against radicalization.
This November, the nation will watch. Will New York choose stability, or flirt with chaos? The answer could shape the city’s future for decades to come.
