Overview

• Zohran Mamdani won the June 24 Democratic primary and now leads in head-to-head polls against both incumbent Eric Adams and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
• Eric Adams announced his run as an independent this week, accusing Mamdani of offering empty promises that would strain city finances.
• Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform proposes rent freezes for most apartments, free bus service and universal childcare funded by a 2 percent surtax on the top 1 percent of earners.
• Prominent Wall Street hedge-fund managers and New York business groups are exploring alliances and potential alternative candidates to block Mamdani’s policies.
• President Trump has labeled Mamdani a “100% communist crazy person,” underscoring the polarized reaction to his candidacy.