Newsweek: Unprecedented Rise in Mamdani's Chances of Winning New York City Elections

SadaNews - Zahran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for the mayoralty of New York City and a member of the state legislature, has become the frontrunner for the position of city mayor, according to the latest polling data and political betting markets.

According to a report in Newsweek, there are signs of a rise for this progressive political star who aspires to bring significant change to the policies of America's largest city.

Zahran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City's mayoralty and a member of the state legislature, has become the frontrunner for the city's mayoral position, according to the latest polling data and political betting markets.

According to a report in Newsweek, there are signs of a rise for this progressive political star who aspires to bring significant change to the policies of America's largest city.

The magazine further elaborated on the results of some polls and some comments from betting sites regarding the candidates' chances for the New York mayoralty.

Overwhelming Superiority

According to the "Polymarket" site, an online betting platform that allows users to predict the outcomes of political and economic events, Mamdani currently enjoys a 92.8% chance of winning as of Monday, October 20.

In contrast, the former governor of the city, Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent candidate after losing the primary election to Mamdani, ranks second with only 5.9%, while Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, founder of the "Guardian Angels" organization, holds only a 0.7% chance of winning according to the platform.

Mamdani's odds have notably increased compared to last week, where they stood at 88.3%, reflecting growing confidence in his victory among both followers and bettors alike, according to Newsweek.

Poll Results

Results from a Fox News poll conducted between October 11 and 14, which included 1,003 registered voters in New York as monitored by SadaNews, showed that Mamdani has the support of 52% of respondents, significantly ahead of Cuomo who garnered 28%, while Sliwa came in third with 14%.

Previous analyses published in Newsweek indicate that Mamdani excels among Asian voters (67%), Latino voters (50%), and African American voters (48%), while he also receives considerable support from white voters (37%). In contrast, Cuomo's largest support remains among Jewish voters (60%).

Who Supports Mamdani?

Mamdani enjoys strong support from the progressive left wing of the Democratic Party, with specific backing from prominent figures such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and independent Senator Bernie Sanders. His proposed policies include rent freezes, establishing city-owned grocery stores to reduce rising food prices, in addition to reforms in social infrastructure and public services.

In an interview with Newsweek, Professor Mark Shanahan, an expert in American politics at the University of Surrey in the UK, stated: "This race is clearly in favor of Mamdani.. New Yorkers are clearly showing that they do not want to repeat the Cuomo experience."

Reactions and Divisions

Despite his growing popularity, according to Newsweek, Mamdani faces criticism from conservative figures, notably former President Donald Trump who described him as a "coming disaster," warning against electing a "communist" to manage a large city that represents a free economy.

For his part, Curtis Sliwa wrote on the "X" platform (formerly Twitter) after an election debate: "I was the clear winner tonight. Cuomo failed and should withdraw to leave the field for me to face Mamdani."

Mamdani addressed his supporters at one of the rallies saying, "For years, you have been the ones fighting for New Yorkers, and now it's our turn to fight for you."

What Will Happen Next?

According to the magazine, the second and final debate is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, ahead of the voting day on November 4, and current Mayor Eric Adams will hold office until December 31, when the winner will be officially inaugurated in January 2026.

If victorious, Zahran Mamdani will become the first Muslim mayor in the history of New York City, a historic achievement reflecting the profound shifts in the political and demographic makeup of the city, according to Newsweek.