Overview

• A Fox News survey conducted Sept. 18–22 and reported by FOX 5 NY shows Zohran Mamdani leading by 18 points with 45% support, ahead of Andrew Cuomo at 27% and Curtis Sliwa at 11%.
• Photos resurfaced of Mamdani posing in July with Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, a prominent backer of anti-LGBT laws; his campaign says he was unaware of her role and posed after a brief airport encounter.
• Cuomo intensified attacks, calling Mamdani inexperienced and questioning his judgment over the Kadaga photos, while continuing his independent bid after losing the Democratic primary.
• On a Sept. 30 Zoom with about 120 executives, Mamdani said he would raise taxes on wealthy residents and corporations to fund proposals, a stance business leaders described as “less than comforting,” according to the Partnership for New York.
• Axios reports ongoing Democratic rifts as the DNC offers limited visible backing; Gov. Kathy Hochul has endorsed Mamdani, but congressional leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer have not, and state control of tax policy could constrain his revenue plans.