Mamdani, Cuomo or Sliwa… Who will be New York City’s next mayor?

It’s an election that has got the world talking — the New York City mayoral race. On November 4, polls will open across the five boroughs in the morning and will close at 9 pm local time.

And New Yorkers will have to make the choice between young Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, former Democratic governor turned independent Andrew Cuomo and the red beret-wearing Republican Curtis Sliwa.

So, who will New York choose? Will it be the leftist, a scandal-tainted former governor, or a Republican outsider?

Zohran Mamdani — the leader of the race

At 34, Zohran Mamdani was barely known to the public before his shock victory in the Democratic primary in June, which made him a firm favourite to become mayor.

Born in Uganda to parents of Indian descent, Mamdani is a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist. If elected to power, he will make history as being the first ever Muslim mayor. Before politics, Mamdani also made a brief, yet funny venture into the world of rap music — he performed under the alias “Young Cardamom.”

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Mamdani boasts a strong base of young and immigrant voters thanks largely to a campaign focused on the soaring cost of living in the city of some 8.5 million residents. He has promised more rent control, free day care and buses, and city-run neighbourhood grocery stores.

But while Mamdani has attracted love from many young voters, he has been criticised by US President Donald Trump, who has called him a “little Communist”.

Mamdani has been a vocal and strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and has been making headlines for vocally denouncing anti-semitism in recent months.

Andrew Cuomo: Controversy’s favourite

For Andrew Cuomo, the New York City mayoral race is his hope for a comeback after harassment allegations led to his resignation as governor in 2021.

The 67-year-old Democrat running as an independent, has led a centrist campaign for mayor drawing on his decades of experience in politics — including a stint as New York attorney general and in president Bill Clinton’s administration.

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He has prioritised public safety with a pledge to hire 5,000 new officers for the New York Police Department. Cuomo has also proposed building new housing for residents of differing income levels, smaller classroom sizes and more access to affordable health care.

Many New Yorkers will recall his 10-year spell as governor which covered the Covid-19 pandemic, during which his leadership was initially praised before he faced criticism for understating the number of deaths in state nursing homes.

Cuomo has attacked Mamdani in the past, citing the 34-year-old’s lack of experience. “He is dangerously unqualified. When you are mayor of the city of New York, that is a big job. You are responsible for eight-and-a-half million lives. Mayor of New York City should not be your first job.”

Cuomo can claim many triumphs for himself. These include criminal justice reforms and victories for same-sex rights. In 2011, he pushed a bill through New York’s legislature legalising same-sex marriage. In 2013, Cuomo championed the SAFE Act, which was then one of the strictest gun control laws in the US. Cuomo also launched a statewide initiative to downsize New York’s prison system, which now holds roughly half as many inmates.

Curtis Sliwa — The outsider

As a Republican running in an avowedly Democratic megacity, Curtis Sliwa has virtually no chance of winning the mayoral seat. But the 71-year-old could still tip ballots for Mamdani or Cuomo given his sway with a small but significant proportion of voters.

Sliwa — once a night manager of a McDonald’s restaurant in New York — made his name with the Guardian Angels subway patrol group, which still sees him routinely sport a red beret. He ran for mayor in 2021 but lost to the incumbent Eric Adams, who is not seeking re-election.

Despite being the Republican nominee, Sliwa has refused to fall in line with Trump and has opposed elements of the US president’s immigration crackdown.

This year, his campaign has focused on the cost of living, dismantling bureaucracy, more safety in public spaces, as well as support for the homeless and even animal welfare. Sliwa is reported to share his home with 16 cats.

With inputs from AFP