In the upcoming mayoral primary election in New York City, Democratic candidates are presented with both a challenge and an opportunity: engaging Asian voters who did not participate in last year’s presidential election.
While certain heavily Asian neighborhoods, such as South Ozone Park and Richmond Hill in Queens, leaned towards Trump, the primary issue wasn’t a significant switch in party allegiance among Asian voters but rather a dramatic drop in turnout among registered Democrats.
Analyses indicate declines in turnout for Kamala Harris compared to Joe Biden’s previous performance, with seven heavily Asian neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens notably affected, leading Trump to secure victories in those areas due to low Democratic participation.
Asian voters account for approximately 21% of the city’s voting-age population, comprising diverse communities across boroughs, which raises both opportunities and challenges for candidates seeking to resonate with these voters.
Democratic candidates have acknowledged the importance of Asian voter outreach and are intensifying their campaign efforts to connect with Asian, Latino, and Caribbean communities. They have taken varying approaches, some relying on established relationships within the communities, while others focus on translating campaign materials into multiple languages.
Democratic strategist Amit Singh Bagga emphasized the necessity for a deeper understanding of the changing voter patterns, suggesting they reflect wider complexities within the Asian electorate.
He pointed out that while collective patterns show a shift away from Democratic candidates, the motivating factors differ greatly across neighborhoods, particularly in areas with distinct South Asian and East Asian populations.
For instance, South Ozone Park and Richmond Hill shifted right, while nearby neighborhoods saw much smaller movements towards Trump, highlighting the need for tailored outreach strategies.
Bagga highlighted that voting behaviors have shown significant contrasts between different Asian communities, as they represent a mosaic rather than a monolithic group.
In the 2024 general election, Asian communities were not alone in seeing declines in Democratic turnout. For example, Washington Heights, predominantly Latino, also saw decreased participation, indicating a broader trend across diverse voter bases as Harris failed to match Biden’s numbers.
After the presidential election, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani engaged with a range of voters in Queens and The Bronx who either voted for Trump or chose not to vote at all. Many expressed concerns over the Gaza conflict as a significant factor for their non-participation.
Mamdani’s campaign strategy aims to reach out to the 26% of Democrats who voted in the last election and the larger 74% who did not participate, recognizing the importance of informing them about the upcoming primary, which could yield different results compared to the presidential election.
The campaign boasts over 21,000 volunteers who are proficient in multiple languages and plans to knock on about 1.5 million doors before the primary.
Recently, Sen. John Liu of Queens, the first Asian-American to hold citywide office as comptroller, endorsed Mamdani, commending the campaign for centering issues important to New Yorkers despite the diversity within Asian communities.
Liu remarked on the commonality of issues faced by Asian American New Yorkers with those encountered by other demographics, such as transportation, childcare, and community safety.
Bagga pointed out that the electoral process favors certain demographics due to how campaigns allocate resources and communicate with voters, suggesting that both Asian and Latino communities may feel disillusioned due to inadequate engagement from Democrats.
Anita Gundanna, co-executive director of Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, highlighted language barriers and the reliance of many in the Asian community on social media for information, rather than traditional mainstream media.
She emphasized the need for outreach strategies to prioritize those who face socioeconomic struggles and lack access to information.
As the primary election approaches, candidates are racing to engage voters, translating messages into various languages and building relationships with community organizations to establish connections.
Many candidates are appearing at numerous mayoral forums, while others, such as former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, are utilizing a strategy focused on engagement in community spaces rather than public appearances.
Cuomo leads in the polls with a campaign that promotes broad support from diverse segments of the city’s population.
His spokesperson highlighted their commitment to representing all New Yorkers across various neighborhoods.
Scott Stringer emphasized his approach of maintaining deep connections with communities through consistent outreach while preparing to expand canvassing efforts and translations.
Comptroller Brad Lander is prioritizing personal voter engagement in public settings and has released an agenda tailored to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, further showcasing his dedication to outreach.
Zellnor Myrie’s campaign, notable for airing a Spanish-language ad, is employing community organizing tactics to engage voters and addressing specific issues through community meetings.
Myrie’s strategy focuses on involving local leaders, aiming to connect with voters in culturally relevant ways, ensuring their concerns are taken seriously.
Ramos, fluent in Spanish and directly representing multi-ethnic neighborhoods, advocates for addressing the affordability crisis prevalent among her constituents, seeking to unify the working-class experience across ethnicities.
Whitney Tilson’s campaign aims to connect with voters concerned about various issues, including education reform and international conflicts, presenting a platform intended to resonate across racial and ethnic lines.
Adrienne Adams’s campaign plans to reach diverse communities through literature in multiple languages, aiming to become a candidate that speaks to various backgrounds.
With less than a month until the primary, time is critical for candidates, particularly those trailing in the polls behind Cuomo, to effectively reach **unengaged voters**.
As campaigning intensifies, strategies will continue to evolve, reflecting the complexities of New York City’s electorate and the urgency to engage diverse communities effectively.
image source from：https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/03/kamala-harris-joe-biden-southeast-queens-asian-voters/
