As Zohran Mamdani walked the streets of the Upper East Side for a campaign event to greet early voters, he could barely walk a few steps without being stopped by his supporters.
Two smiling young women looked starstruck and told him they followed him on Instagram. The millennial Democratic nominee for mayor thanked them before posing with another young man who had readied his phone for a selfie.
Throngs of press surrounded Mamdani and captured his every moment, like running into the street to shake hands with a taxi driver shouting 'we support you, man'.
With a comfortable lead in the polls, the 34-year-old is on the brink of making history when New Yorkers vote on Tuesday, as the youngest mayor in over a century and the first Muslim and South Asian leader of the city.
A relatively unknown figure just months ago, few could have predicted his rise, from hip-hop artist and housing counsellor to New York State assembleyman and frontrunner to lead the biggest city in the US, a job which comes with a $116bn (£88bn) budget and global scrutiny.
Leading a three-way race
Through viral videos and outreach to content creators and podcasters, Mamdani has reached disaffected voters at a time when faith in the Democratic party among its own members is at an all-time low.
However, there are questions over whether he can deliver on his ambitious promises and handle a possible onslaught from a hostile Trump administration.
Categorizing himself as a democratic socialist, Mamdani has proposed plans that include taxing millionaires to fund expanded social programs. His rivals have attempted to label him with unfavorable terms, while he has humorously deflected such attacks.
Rent freezes and free buses
Mamdani's campaign has focused heavily on combatting the cost of living crisis in New York City, promising various initiatives to enhance affordability for residents, such as universal childcare, freezing rents on subsidized units, and providing free public buses.
His proposals are poised to resonate with voters grappling with rising costs, though skeptics question the feasibility of funding such initiatives.
A city divided over Gaza
One area where Mamdani has maintained a firm stance is his criticism of Israel and longstanding advocacy for Palestinian rights. This position could polarize voters, especially within New York’s substantial Jewish community, although he has emphasized his commitment to safety for all residents.
The future of the party
Mamdani's candidacy embodies a potential rift within the Democratic party, as tensions between moderate and progressive factions persist. The implications of his success may extend beyond New York, sparking discussions on the party's future direction at the national level.
Despite facing backlash and intense scrutiny, Mamdani remains resolute, channeling the energy from his supporters into a movement that seeks to redefine local politics in a challenging national context.
