Today, on June 24th, is the primary election day for the Democratic mayoral candidates in New York City. Despite running under the same party, the candidates hold significantly different views. Many voters, including the Chinese community, see this competition as a battle between a moderate veteran Democratic politician, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and a progressive newcomer, Zohran Mamdani, within the Democratic Party.
Andrew Cuomo’s stances on key issues concerning New Yorkers include expanding affordable housing supply, broadening access to affordable healthcare, implementing universal 3-K education, increasing childcare options, expanding transit fare discounts, tax cuts for low-income and middle-class families, and raising the minimum wage to $20 per hour.
In contrast, Zohran Mamdani advocates for establishing city-owned grocery stores, free public transportation, freezing rent, constructing affordable housing, cracking down on bad landlords, supporting tenants in ending lease scams, offering free childcare services, and aiming to raise the minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030.
Cuomo proposes immediately hiring 5000 new police officers, investing in the NYPD, combating quality of life crimes, increasing regulation on electric bikes, cracking down on fare evasion in the subway, and providing services for the homeless.
Mamdani, who had previously called to defund the NYPD during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement, seems to have dialed back on advocating for defunding the NYPD and is instead proposing the establishment of a “Social Safety Agency” alongside outreach programs for mental health and gun control.
Cuomo supports keeping the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT), endorsing smaller class sizes, and expanding after-school programs.
Mamdani had criticized the SHSAT for its alleged racial bias in 2022, calling for its abolition. However, reports surfaced prior to the primary election day suggesting that he may have reconsidered his position on abolishing or reforming the SHSAT system.
Cuomo previously supported same-sex marriage but hasn’t emphasized this stance during this campaign.
Mamdani plans to heavily invest in transgender medical services, including for children.
Cuomo voices support for the Jewish community and advocates for combating anti-Semitism in schools.
Mamdani believes that Jews should not have an independent state.
Both candidates oppose former President Trump.
For readers unfamiliar with the two mayoral candidates, they can be distinguished as a “moderate, establishment Democrat” and a “typical far-left socialist Democrat”.
If Cuomo wins, he will be the first person to transition from the governor of New York to mayor of New York City. If Mamdani is elected, he would become the youngest, most socialist, and the first Muslim mayor of New York City.