A recent poll conducted by J.L. Partners for the Daily Mail indicates that nearly 9% of New York City residents may consider leaving the city if Democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani secures victory in the upcoming mayoral race. This figure translates to approximately 765,000 people out of the city’s total population of 8.5 million.
The poll highlights broader concerns among New Yorkers, as it suggests that around 2.12 million residents would contemplate leaving the city if Mamdani is elected, representing about 25% of the population. Mamdani’s campaign has focused on issues of affordability, proposing policies such as free childcare, a rent freeze, and free public transportation to alleviate financial burdens on residents.
As the election approaches on November 7, 2023, Mamdani appears to be leading against his main opponents: Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent. Early voting has seen significant participation, with hundreds of thousands casting their ballots prior to Election Day, further indicating growing support for Mamdani.
Mamdani recently held a major rally featuring prominent supporters, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. He has also received endorsements from Kathy Hochul, the current Democratic Governor of New York. Notably, former President Barack Obama commended Mamdani during a private conversation, acknowledging the impressive nature of his campaign, though he refrained from an official endorsement.
In a contrasting view, former President Donald Trump voiced his concerns about a potential Mamdani administration. In an interview with “60 Minutes,” Trump characterized Mamdani as a “communist” and expressed skepticism about providing federal funding to New York if Mamdani becomes mayor. “It’s going to be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York. Because if you have a communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there,” Trump stated.
The implications of this election are significant for New York City, as ongoing debates about governance, fiscal policy, and social issues come to the forefront. With a substantial portion of the electorate considering leaving the city based on the election outcome, the future leadership could reshape the landscape of one of the world’s most populous urban centers.
