Democratic NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani Faces Criticism, Narrow Poll Lead

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist who won the New York City mayoral primary, is facing criticism from multiple sides. Some Democrats, including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Hakeem Jeffries, have condemned Mamdani's embrace of the phrase "globalize the intifada," associating it with antisemitism, and are urging him to disavow it to gain broader support, especially from Jewish voters. Conservative commentator Dave Portnoy described Mamdani as more aligned with communism than democratic socialism, accusing him of opposing the American Dream. Despite Mamdani's progressive platform addressing affordability and public services, a recent poll shows him in a statistical tie with Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, indicating a competitive general election ahead. Observers also draw parallels to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's struggles after a progressive win, warning Mamdani against repeating similar governance mistakes. The divided reactions highlight the challenges Mamdani faces in uniting New York City's diverse electorate amid concerns over policy direction and rhetoric.