New York City is seeing one of its most electrifying mayoral elections in generations, with voter turnout skyrocketing to levels unseen in over half a century — a sign, experts say, of just how fiercely contested the race between socialist frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo has become.
Pollsters now predict nearly 2 million New Yorkers will cast ballots by the close of polls Tuesday — a number not reached since the 1969 election of liberal Republican Mayor John Lindsay. Early voting alone shattered expectations, with more than 735,000 voters turning out by Sunday night, according to city election officials.
The unprecedented turnout could spell trouble for Mamdani. Analysts say the expanding electorate — particularly a late wave of moderates and independents — may tilt the scales toward Cuomo, who is running as an independent after breaking from the Democratic Party.
“As the turnout gets larger, it leans more moderate and brings in independents,” explained Stephen Graves of Gotham Polling. “That benefits Cuomo because the vast majority of Mamdani’s voters are Democrats. But Mamdani can absolutely win with just Democrats — it depends on how the Cuomo and Sliwa votes split.”
Cuomo, who has branded himself as the last bulwark against “radical socialism,” has consolidated support from establishment Democrats and crossover Republicans who view Mamdani’s platform — including his calls to defund the police, raise corporate taxes, and create city-run grocery stores — as a recipe for disaster.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, has refused to drop out despite pressure from party leaders who fear he could siphon enough votes to hand Mamdani a narrow victory.
The unprecedented engagement reflects a population galvanized by anxiety over crime, housing, and the city’s direction. Between January and June alone, voter registration surged to nearly 17,000 new sign-ups per day, according to NYC Votes — an eightfold increase from the 2021 mayoral race.
“This one, being near 2 million, is huge,” said Graves. “It’s going to be between a congressional and a presidential election in terms of intensity.”
While Mamdani continues to lead in most polls, Cuomo’s surge in the final stretch — boosted by moderate Democrats and independents — has turned the race into a toss-up.
With millions heading to the polls, this election is shaping up as a referendum not just on crime and the economy — but on the soul of New York City itself.
A win for Mamdani would mark the first time a self-proclaimed socialist has captured City Hall in modern history. A Cuomo victory, meanwhile, would signal a sharp rebuke to the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
Either way, the political future of the five boroughs now hangs on a turnout surge not seen in decades — and the outcome could redefine the city’s identity for years to come.
LYING JIHADIST: Zohran Mamdani’s “Aunt” Story Falls Apart — Socialist Frontrunner Caught Twisting 9/11 Tale
Zohran Mamdani built his campaign on moral outrage — but now it’s his own credibility that’s under fire.
The self-described socialist and frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race is backpedaling after admitting that the “aunt” at the center of his emotional 9/11 story wasn’t actually his aunt at all.
At a recent campaign rally, Mamdani recounted through tears how his “aunt” — a hijab-wearing Muslim woman — was so terrified to ride the subway after the September 11th attacks that she stopped using public transportation entirely. The tale was meant to illustrate the “Islamophobia” he says still defines New York’s politics.
But online sleuths and reporters quickly discovered a problem: the only aunt Mamdani has, public health consultant Masuma Mamdani, was living in Tanzania at the time of the 9/11 attacks — and photos of her show her not wearing a hijab.
When pressed by reporters on Monday, Mamdani changed his story. “I was speaking about Zehra fuhi, my father’s cousin,” he said, explaining that “fuhi” is a word for paternal aunt in Urdu and Hindi. His campaign refused to provide her full name or confirm basic details.
What was once presented as a heartfelt family memory now looks like a calculated political fable — one that collapses under the weight of its own inconsistencies.
Facing mounting criticism, Mamdani dismissed questions about his false claim as “a distraction,” blaming opponent Andrew Cuomo and accusing him of fueling anti-Muslim sentiment.
“For the takeaway from my more than 10-minute address about Islamophobia in this race and in this city to be the question of my aunt tells you everything you need to know about Cuomo,” Mamdani said.
But his explanation only deepened the controversy. Critics say it’s not just about family semantics — it’s about trust.
Vice President JD Vance previously weighed in, blasting Mamdani’s comments as “tone-deaf and offensive.” “According to Zohran,” Vance wrote on X, “the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks.”
This isn’t the first time Mamdani has faced questions about his judgment and associations. He recently came under fire for hosting far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker — infamous for saying “America deserved 9/11” — at his “New York Is Not For Sale” rally in Queens, where Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders shared the stage.
Cuomo called the appearance “insulting to all New Yorkers.”
“Mamdani talks about unity, but he’s platforming a man who cheered America’s darkest day,” Cuomo said Monday. “That tells you exactly where his values are.”
Mamdani later distanced himself from Piker’s comments, calling them “reprehensible,” but only after public outrage forced his hand.
As early voting continues across the five boroughs, the story threatens to undermine the very brand Mamdani has worked to craft: a truth-teller taking on the establishment. Instead, he’s now accused of embodying what he claims to fight — cynicism, opportunism, and political theater.
For a candidate running on transparency, Zohran Mamdani has some explaining to do.
