Overview
- Most surveys still show Zohran Mamdani with a double‑digit advantage over Andrew Cuomo, though an AtlasIntel poll narrows the race to 40.6%–34%, contrasting with larger leads in Emerson, Marist and Quinnipiac findings.
- Barack Obama privately called Mamdani, praised his campaign and offered to serve as a sounding board if he wins, a conversation confirmed by the candidate’s spokesperson.
- Cuomo ramped up his criticism, calling Mamdani’s proposals like free buses and rent freezes "all BS" and warning about his lack of executive experience, while an October Quinnipiac poll found more voters doubt Mamdani’s qualifications than affirm them.
- The Forward reports the Satmar Hasidic Ahronim bloc is expected to back Mamdani, even as other polling shows Cuomo leading among Jewish voters, underscoring divisions within the community.
- Mamdani released an Arabic‑language ad as opponents amplify attacks over his positions on Israel and public safety, and he faces potential federal headwinds after President Trump froze $18 billion in New York transit funding and threatened further measures.