Zohran Mamdani is the Overwhelming Favorite to Become New York City’s Next Mayor

There are two issues that are key to understanding Mamdani’s rising popularity: housing and inflation.

Mr. Mamdani has run an innovative campaign promising to freeze rents and to lower the cost of living for working-class New Yorkers.

It is not surprising that Mamdani’s popularity is strongest among young people, as these concerns generally poll among the top issues for that demographic. A September poll by Quinnipiac University found that 63 per cent of 18-34 year olds support Mamdani for mayor.

Interestingly, his lead is not limited to that age group. In fact, he is ahead in every other age group as well.

Polymarket, a prediction-market website popular among young people with an interest in American politics, where users bet real money on election outcomes, Mamdani has a 92 per cent chance of becoming the next mayor our nation’s largest city.