Zohran Mamdani, the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, is on a mission to connect with moderate voters despite his identification as a Democratic socialist.
In a wide-ranging interview with ABC News, aired Wednesday, Mamdani emphasized the need for the Democratic Party to re-engage with the struggles of working-class Americans.
“I think that the Democratic Party must always remember what made so many proud to be Democrats, which is a focus on the struggles of working class Americans across this country,” he stated.
At just 33 years old, Mamdani, a member of the State Assembly, recently declared victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the closely watched primary election held on Tuesday.
Addressing concerns regarding his age and relative inexperience, Mamdani highlighted his campaign’s grassroots support, noting the extensive fundraising and volunteer efforts that have propelled his candidacy.
He has also engaged with deputy mayors and commissioners from various mayoral administrations, signaling a commitment to building a capable team focused on excellence rather than ideology.
Mamdani tackled the sensitive topic of the ‘Democratic socialist’ label, which some Democrats find alarming amid Republican criticisms that aim to portray most Democrats as far-left.
When asked how he would respond to these apprehensions, he acknowledged their concerns, stating, “I hear them, because there’s room to have disagreement and tension in any one party.
For too long, we’ve thought of politics as an act of purity, where you only work with those that you agree with on every issue.
Ultimately, we agree on the importance of addressing affordability, and that’s at the core of our campaign.”
Mamdani believes his recent primary success reflects a mandate for making New York City more affordable.
He urged sceptical voters to consider the election results as indicative of a need for stronger policies.
“And it shows that for a long time, what we’ve heard in terms of the analysis of this city and its politics is actually out of step with where people are,” he explained.
He also expressed hopes of garnering support from constituents who may have initially supported incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, whom he accused of being the architect of the city’s affordability crisis.
Mamdani differentiated his vision from that of Adams, asserting, “I’m someone who will make the city more affordable, and because what we’ve seen is that this present has been delivered to us by the policies and the politics and even the politicians of the past.
It’s time for a new generation of leadership.
It’s time for a politics of the future.”
Portions of the interview turned to the necessity of working with President Donald Trump, illustrating the complexities of political relationships.
In response to Trump’s social media remarks labeling him a “Communist Lunatic,” Mamdani dismissed the name-calling, suggesting that Trump should familiarize himself with his policies.
He affirmed, “I will work with the Trump administration when it is to the benefit of New Yorkers.
My approach will never be reflexive, whether in agreement or opposition, but if it comes at the expense of the New Yorkers that I’m running to serve, then, no, I will not be working with the administration on harming the people that I look to represent.”
While Mamdani is open to collaboration on affordability issues, he made it clear that he would resist any cooperation that might further Trump’s controversial immigration policies.
He highlighted an initiative in his campaign plan to combat grocery price hikes through the establishment of a network of municipal-owned stores.
Mamdani’s position on Israel has also drawn scrutiny from New York’s large Jewish population, particularly due to his previous criticisms of Israel’s policies.
In an effort to reassure voters, he emphasized his commitment to tackling antisemitism and focused on city-centric issues.
In a follow-up interview, he affirmed, “I’ve said time and again that I support Israel’s right to exist as a state with equal rights for all, and ultimately, my focus is on the five boroughs of the city.”
Addressing the challenges of gaining trust among Jewish voters, Mamdani expressed a willingness to continuously introduce himself to all New Yorkers, in light of his low name recognition at the outset of the race.
He reiterated his dedication to increasing funding for programs that combat hate crimes while acknowledging the differences in views concerning Israel within the Jewish community.
His approach centers on emphasizing shared values of humanity, despite political disagreements, stating, “Ultimately, my comments have been on critiques of the Israeli government’s policies, and I know that there are many New Yorkers who may disagree with me on those same critiques.
And yet that disagreement is still rooted in the shared sense of humanity.”
Mamdani’s strategy to engage voters includes a commitment to deepening his connections throughout the city, illustrating his readiness to face the multifaceted political landscape as he vies for the mayoralty.
With the primary victories still fresh, Mamdani’s campaign looks to leverage this momentum while addressing the diverse needs of New York City residents moving forward.
image source from：abcnews
