Overview

• Recent polls show Mamdani with roughly 50% support in the mayoral general election, more than double the share of any opponent.
• At a press briefing following a Midtown Manhattan shooting, he stated he is “not running to defund the police” and described his earlier calls as expressions of frustration over George Floyd’s death.
• He told business leaders he would not use the phrase “globalize the intifada” and said he plans to discourage its use among his supporters.
• Gov. Kathy Hochul says she shares his focus on housing affordability but has not yet endorsed his candidacy, signaling ongoing discussions within Democratic ranks.
• Republican and some Democratic figures warn that a Mamdani victory could disrupt city services and be exploited in GOP messaging, while 58% of Jewish voters surveyed fear decreased safety under his leadership.