By Gus Saltonstall
Lately, there has been growing buzz around Queens Assemblymember and current New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani, 33, announced earlier this week that he is done fundraising, after his campaign became the first in the crowded field to hit the city’s $8 million spending cap for the June 24 mayoral primary race. Mamdani’s campaign reached the spending cap through roughly 18,000 donors, along with the city’s projected matching funds program, at the fastest rate of any candidate in the city’s history.
The most recent polling reported this week has Mamdani squarely in second place, ahead of 10 other candidates but still significantly behind former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who had the support of 41 percent of Democrats polled, compared with Mamdani’s 18 percent.
Before Mamdani decided to run for mayor, and before he took office in 2021 in New York’s 36th Assembly District, the current candidate for the city’s highest office was a kid growing up on the Upper West Side.
Mamdani moved to New York City from Uganda with his parents at age 7 and spent the rest of his childhood and early adult years living on the UWS.
West Side Rag recently spoke with Mamdani on the phone about his upbringing in the neighborhood and what impact it may have had on his journey into politics.
WSR: What comes to mind when you think of the Upper West Side?
Mamdani: This was the neighborhood I grew up in. To me it is the place I started to understand myself as a New Yorker.
WSR: Do you think spending formative years on the Upper West Side played a part in your inspiration to get into politics?
Mamdani: I was a student at Bank Street. The first election I ever ran in was a student body election there. So, I may have caught the bug from my early years on the Upper West Side.
After graduating from Bank Street in 8th grade, a private school on West 112th Street, Mamdani attended Bronx High School of Science. He now lives in Astoria, Queens, but comes back to the Upper West Side frequently to visit his parents, who still live in the same apartment where he grew up.
WSR: What were your favorite spots in the neighborhood growing up?
Mamdani: Riverside Park was where I had so many of my memories growing up. It is where I had birthdays, it is where I used to play soccer in West Side Soccer League [AYSO], it is where I would hang out with friends after school.
Absolute Bagels is where we would often go after school let out, and I would order my poppy seed bagel with scallion cream cheese and a some-pulp Tropicana. And I was so sad to see, like many other Upper West Siders, the recent closure of that institution.
WSR: Anywhere else?
Mamdani: When I think especially about the blocks from 118th Street down in the community, there are so many memories that I have that range throughout my formative years in New York City, and they span from playing table tennis at Weng Chen’s on 100th Street, to going to Metro Diner, to trying to catch the train at 116th Street in time for me to actually get to high school on time, so I could take the Bx10 at 231st Street. These are all the memories that I think of every time I walk up the stairs of that train station.
WSR: There is currently ongoing conversation about the number of vacant storefronts from 96th to 110th streets, a stretch that it sounds like you frequented often. What do you see as the solution to the commercial vacancy issue in the city?
Mamdani: I’m interested in suggestions that have been put forward around commercial rent stabilization and the city embracing all of the tools it has to ensure that the small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our neighborhood, can continue to operate.
So many of my most cherished memories on the Upper West Side are tied to small businesses that have been priced out of the very storefronts that I first visited them at. My love for reading, which was sustained by many visits to the Bank Street Bookstore, that’s gone. My love for film was sustained by many visits to Kim’s [a video rental store] on 113th Street, that’s gone. And the few mom and pop stores that are left on that stretch of the Upper West Side are ones that are also on the brink.
Our hope for New York City should not be one where the only businesses that can afford to have a storefront are large scale chains, it should be one where small businesses flourish across the five boroughs of our city.
WSR: What would you say to an Upper West Sider that might question your age when thinking about their vote for mayor?
Mamdani: When we saw a number of mayors go to Washington D.C. to testify in front of Congress, the one that I wanted the most to be our mayor was Mayor Michelle Wu from Boston, and I am two years younger than she was when she declared for her first campaign to lead that city.
At its core, a mayor is a delegate, a liaison, and a messenger. These are skills I have shown my entire life in public service, but they are skills we have not seen in far too long in our City Hall.
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He has lots of room on his website to talk about free buses and free child care and a $30 minimum wage but not one statement about crime, public safety, bail reform etc. So obviously he’s hiding his views on those things and I’ll never vote for someone like that.
Poor people are not your enemy, and policies that alleviate their suffering will have a positive affect on “crime”
Do you have any actual studies that can substantiate the claim that if we give career criminals more public money they will change their ways ? I fully support offering a social safety net to those in need and to provide services to rehabilitate people who have found themselve on the wrong side of the law and want to make a change.
And so you will be voting for the sexual predator who moved to Westchester a few months ago to be eligible to run for mayor? I’d rather vote for someone who grew up in the city and knows what we actually need.
I mean. How would free buses be funded? And 30 dollar minimum wage is great and all for the employees but if the companies are not taking I. Huge profits now, how would that work?
So I would say more than half of the riders on buses have entered through the back door. Same with the “Select” buses. Just get on. No enforcement.
Agree. He seems like a nice person, but that is different from being the best candidate. He has an agenda that would not be in our best interests. He is a democratic socialist which is the absolute last thing we need.
Also, he is running claiming that he is fighting for “working class New Yorkers” but he literally went to a 66K private school (Bank Street) and a private college in Maine! And is mom is a TV producer!
He isn’t getting my vote.
It’s actually good when people who come from means advocate for those who didn’t. We should encourage that.
Bank Street wasn’t 66K when he went. And he did go to Bronx Science for high school which is where my son went. I’m willing to give him a hearing.
I don’t know why it matters that he went to Bank Street. Just because he comes from money doesn’t mean he can’t empathize with the worries of poor New Yorkers. The issue is more – would he want his kids going to public schools, given the changes he wants to implement?
Just a reminder that the bail reform law was signed into law by the only person polling ahead of Zohran – former Gov. Andrew Cuomo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_New_York_bail_reform
You have a choice to vote out Bragg during the Democratic primary on June 24. Patrick Timmins is challenging him for the Democratic nomination. Timmins takes quality of life crimes like shoplifting more seriously.
How does shoplifting affect your quality of life?
It is the reason everything is locked up and it takes much longer to get errands done.
Don’t worry about it. Some day you’ll figure it out.
Maybe.
And he has said it needs fixing. Which is fine, he admits it.
1. He signed and supported it and never made any changes to it while he held power
2. Has he said that? https://nypost.com/2025/03/09/us-news/cuomo-doubles-down-on-bail-reform-during-nyc-mayors-race-righted-a-terrible-social-wrong/
He’s getting there give him time. LOL. He’s more likely to get there than this other guy ever will.
He’s only had three terms as governor – he’ll get there!
I think we can walk and chew gum at the same time; we need fresh blood. Not the same old tired rhetoric that’s completely out of touch with the changing times.
Too far left for me.
Absolutely not. This guy is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
I’m still trying to make my mind up so I don’t have a final opinion on him. What do you think is dangerous about this guy?
The words “democratic socialism.”
Yeah, what we desperately need is more National Socialists….
the use of the word “socialist” by the German Nazi party was a deliberate misuse of the term to take advantage of people who, too busy with having to work to survive, would see the word socialist and assume they would be enacting laws that would help the everyday person. nazis, as history shows, very much did not and no policy they enacted was truly socialist. please look into the history of it instead of taking them at name alone…
Better not vote for any.
I think the only person who, potentially, is left of him is AOC. A recipe for continued disaster if he is voted in.
AOC for NYC mayor? Nah, I’d rather save my vote for her POTUS run, assuming there are still elections (or humans) then.
Meanwhile, Stringer and Mandani remain my top ranked-choice picks, with Cuomo not even on the list.
AOC is really charismatic but I don’t know if she has actually accomplished anything.
I’m not sure what your idea of an accomplishment might be, but why not check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria_Ocasio-Cortez and see whether anything fits the bill?
In the face of relentless Republican obstruction (and dysfunction!) in both House and Senate over the years in question (2019–present), one might be hard-pressed to name many Democrats who have accomplished as much. (Remember, it was AOC’s Green New Deal legislation that Republicans managed to torpedo without debate or expert testimony.)
He’s got my vote.We need change, not more of the same. Cuomo campaign sounds just like Adams 2021. Not to mention hes another disgraced, corrupt pol.
So any kind of change would be good? Really?
“Change” is a funny word. Hides all manner of sins.
Time is our Great Enemy.
Mamdani says, “At its core, a mayor is a delegate, a liaison, and a messenger.”
Good grief, a mayor is an executive. He seems to see being a mayor as one more advocacy position to pontificate.
Besides his bad and/or unworkable ideas, one more reason not to vote for the guy.
A mayor should serve his constituents, not give out orders on his whim. What you’re looking for sounds suspiciously like a dictator.
After the last 4 years, as long as a member of the NYPD isn’t anywhere near the mayors office, it’ll all be uphill from here.
True neighborhood boy. He’s got my vote
No experience, just growing up on the UWS, I could be mayor.
He’s literally a New York State Representative. How is that “no experience”?
Ever observed the New York State legislature at work? “No experience” seems apt to me!
He wants to defund the police and close the prisons. Elections have consequences. If you want more anarchy and lawlessness vote for this Democrat.
Speaking of utter lawlessness … ah, but this is a story about Mandani, not King Krasnov & his scary clowns.
I didn’t hear about King Krasnov so I had to look it up. I thought Putin had given him a lot of money when he was bankrupt but I didn’t think it went thar far.
It all makes sense now. He is trying to destroy anything that shows he is a Soviet sleeper agent.
The average American has a 7th grade reading level so they are easily duped. This is even better than a Clancy novel.
Hard pass.
Same insanity taken to another level.
His mother is filmmaker Mira Nair and his father a longtime Columbia professor.
Weird that the NYT has not mentioned his parents and education?
NYT articles kind of imply he is grew up in Queens and doesn’t have resources.
Both parents are erudite and accomplished. Dad is definitely anti-Israel and, in fact, highly critical of the whole idea of a nation-state. This probably doesn’t bode well for young Zohran.
He’s polling higher than Eric and Blander (also another Israel critic)
Plenty of New Yorkers don’t support apartheid states
How is that relevant?
Curious as to why the Rag failed to point this out.
Yes, I believe his father teaches a class about “Colonialism” and endorses the destruction of Israel. A real stand-up family.
He’s got my vote then.
Cite for this “fact”?
Bronx Science? Sweet. Last time it was two Stut alums. Very happy to see my high school repres bred!!
Too liberal soft on crime and wants everyone else to pay for everything.
I’m amazed that the platform that out of touch is still game. Didn’t the party learn anything?
No.
The person who could not condemn rape and murder of Israelis on October 8, 2023 https://x.com/ZohranKMamdani/status/1711093032907321525
The person who belongs to Democratic Socialists who celebrated these crimes against Israelis.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/775
The person who holds extensive anti-Israel record:
https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/02/27/contender-in-nyc-mayoral-race-has-extensive-anti-israel-trackrecord/
This person, Zohran Mamdani, does NOT have my vote!
Why is support for the foreign nation of Israel and its destruction of Palestine a pre-requisite to lead the city of New York?
It isn’t. But an obsession with the destruction of Israel and the glorification of the terrorists who aim for the murder of Jews isn’t actually a resume item that should get someone elected as Mayor of New York.
Calling the bombardment of Gaza a genocide and opposing it doesn’t make somebody anti-Israel
Your statements are misleading and hyperbolic.
The extreme left wing of the democratic party is as dead as yesterday’s fish.
There is no extreme left in the Democratic Party, not even AOC.
What, you mean like the Squad, Bernie Sanders, that crowd? As always, I’d like to be sure I understand you properly.
And Sanders is not a Democrat.
As is always worth pointing out, yes. Something of a fellow traveler, however.
Mamdani has my vote, 100%. Interesting to hear the objectors in this comment section. Likely older, well off boomers by the tone. “He’s too young” “he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing” <— nice baseless, ad hominem attack. “He’s a ‘socialist’ “
It’s time for change. And by the way, are you really going to vote for the disgraced serial sexual abuser, Cuomo? Or do you want a few more years of corruption with Eric Adams, because the last few years have gone so well.
I’ll be knocking on your doors and cold calling your phones asking for your vote for Mamdami.
😉
Well said. The commenters would prefer to pretend that poverty doesn’t exist, averting their eyes to its effects rather than vote for someone who wants to prevent it from existing.
Do you really think this clown has any answers? He wants to prevent poverty, giving away other people’s money is not the solution. Socialism never works. Socialism creates poverty.
Well 200,000 new affordable housing units is a good start. Making every day expenses like groceries, rent, and buses more affordable is a good start. Pretty much any idea besides “just throw them in jail” would be a good start. Not sure you’re interested in preventing poverty, you just want to live in a bubble where it doesn’t affect you.
We know how pathetic the field is, including Mamdani. The question is, why are you not telling us what he is? Is he experienced? Seasoned? NOT a socialist?
Older, well-off boomers? You won’t get far with the identity politics. When you knock on their doors, make sure you tell them they’re the class enemy.
I’m a liberal millennial and 7th generation Manhattanite. I’ll be laughing and hanging up immediately when you call.
This guy is no executive experience whatsoever. He seems like a nice guy to have a beer with, but he has not run anything ever in his life. The fact that he came from money is relevant because he’s never had to really work to put food on the table. That’s why he was able to quickly go from academia to politics. Never having actually held a proper job also means that he has no idea how to negotiate, how to compromise, How to work with people who completely disagree with you, and ultimately how to get things done that make progress that the vast majority of New Yorkers would agree with rather than ramming things down people’s throat that progressives want, but the vast majority of New Yorkers do not. $30 min wage is a recipe for higher unemployment and businesses moving out of the city, or in the best case massive inflation. If you think that $15 sandwich is already too expensive wait till it’s $25 instead. We deserve good governance. Not a friendly dude from the neighborhood. AOC has gotten absolutely nothing done in Congress, despite her extremely large platform. I’m a hard pass on having one of those run in New York City, and extremely complex city with a variety of different interests that requires an executive that knows how to work the system. Cuomo’s brand is damaged, but For all of the progressive screaming (legitimate btw) About how the Trump administration is ignoring due process and violating the law, I don’t hear many of them defending Cuomo who had all charges dropped. If you believe in justice system, you can’t just believe in it when it serves you. Innocent until proven guilty still means something to me whether they are republican or democrat, or even when you’re a bit sleazy (Clinton was clearly far worse, with evidence) but maybe didn’t commit an actual crime. And in case you’re wondering, I haven’t voted for a Republican in 25 years, this is coming from a lifelong Democrat that voted for that Sleeze Ball Clinton a couple of times and I’m desperate for competent executives with a D next to their name rather than socialists that wanna burn down capitalism and apparently skipped history class where they talked about how socialism has destroyed societies.
Might prove helpful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_socialism
Also for the Democratic socialist out there, I guess I’m wondering how excited you would be if we in fact lived in a Democratic socialist society under the Trump administration. After all, he was elected in a free election even though he’s despised here in New York. But in such a system, Trump would be in charge of the economy even more than he is right now. Democratic socialism sounds great when your guys in charge, but what happens when a different guy is in charge that you disagree with? Fundamentally centralized control of the economy by governments is a failed system. Please read history.
So you’re sending me the definition of Democratic socialism and that is supposed to mean something? I know what it is. I think it’s horrific with a long history of pain and suffering to those countries that decided to adopt socialism. Democracy and capitalism inextricably linked In terms of maximizing prosperity. United States is 5% of the world’s population, but it consumes 25% of the GDP of the world. Our standard of living is better than any society in the history of mankind. The spread of our values in this regard has also created wealth for numerous other countries.
Regardless, it doesn’t matter this type of Democratic socialist thinking is a loser and it’s causing losses around the country and lots of election elections that Democrats should be winning. Rejection of progressivism and these types of ultra left ideas is the reason why we get a nut bag like Trump in the first place. A majority of the country rejected and move towards socialist or progressive types of government models. AOC and Bernie are pretty good at capturing the attention of the cameras, but really, really poor at getting anything done legislatively because they can’t get enough people to buy into their looney causes. We need to stop this kind of nonsense. Get back to a good governance. This is not a socialist country. And yeah, I get the idea that it’s socialism with the democratic electoral system. That’s not enough people want capitalism. People want to be able to work harder to make more. Start their own business if they want to. Innovate and create new products. And vote with their feet when they don’t like a product or service and stop buying that particular thing. Capitalism isn’t perfect, but the alternative is centralized control which leads to inevitable corruption because human beings are fallible. Should I provide you a link to a basic economics course so that you can understand such things?
Imagine picking Michelle Wu as someone to emulate, she’s been a disaster for Boston.
Boston runs beautifully as a city. You should go sometime
His move is the Council, or the Assembly, or taking a shot at Congress. You didn’t see even AOC (who I like and think is gifted politically) run for the city’s presidency her first time out
He’s currently a New York State Representative.
Exactly! For me that represents a more clear path for his political visions
Did Mr.Mamdani attend college?
Zohran absolutely has my vote! This is the change we need for NYC. People are struggling to make rent, pay for childcare, and buy groceries. For folks who are upset about crime, Eric Adams heavily policing did not solve crime issues. Cuomo is guilty of sexually harassing 13 women, according to the DOJ in Cuomo’s settlement. No way is he the right fit for our city. If Cuomo or Adams become mayor, it would be shameful and would not help everyday people. Rent freeze for rent stabilized apartments? Free buses? City-run grocery stores? Free childcare for babies – 5 year olds? $30 minimum wage? Sign me up – this is the city I want to live in! Zohran’s commitment to invest in the people of NYC is the future we need.
There is no such thing as “free.” It just means someone else is paying for it. 50% of people in NY city pay no city income tax, and the top 10% pay 66% of tax. Exactly how much more do we think we can tax these people before even more leave?
I don’t disagree with your views on Adams or Cuomo.. But, let’s get real about the notion of free buses and city-run grocery stores. Do you think that New York city could run a grocery store that would be appealing with quality food, wonderful service and reasonable prices ? Let’s focus on real things like getting the kids a good education. Anyone have a plan for that ?
I’m a 29-year old Upper West Sider and voting for Zohran. The majority of comments below aren’t truly representative of the neighborhood. UWS is consistently one of the most liberal and progressive neighborhoods in the city, and we’d be lucky for one of its own young people to represent the city and put forward progressive policies. If people are products of where they grow up, then that includes Zohran’s viewpoints too.
UWS Boomers, it sounds like the type of candidate you’d prefer has been mayor for the past 4 years. Have things gotten better or worse? Time to think differently and let somebody with new ideas bring something to the table. Those interested in a Cuomo mayoralty are trying to cling on to the past.
The reason of vote for Cuomo is not for any desire to cling to the past. I think you misunderstand how some older folks may be thinking about this vote. And I think you may also misunderstand how some immigrants feel about socialism. Many immigrants have come to this country to escape the tyranny that inevitably seeps into socialist regime’s, whether they be democratic or not. I think part of the problem is that Cuomo was really the least worst option. Adams is a train wreck. But a lot of folks are not down with Democratic socialism. And by the way, as a young person, you probably shouldn’t be either if you are willing to work hard and you are looking to build wealth for yourself and your family. Socialism overtime will depress your wages and make your purchasing power worse. That is not to say that the current system that we have is In any way, perfect. Reform is needed, but not revolution In my view, and in the view of many other others. Now if you want revolution, OK sure but you’re in the minority and revolutions require a majority to be successful. So I think rather than talking down to those who think differently than you, you may want to consider how you can work with those people to get some of what you want while the majority also gets some of what they want. The goal here is to prevent the GOP from destroying the economy of this great city and prevent them from depriving New Yorkers of the benefits that they have earned through tax contributions that are greater than any city in America.
It has been more than 20 years since the GOP had anything to do with governing NYC. 19 years since NYC had a GOP governor. The legislatures have been controlled by democrats. 12 of the last 16 years there has been a Democrat as president. Respectfully, the GOP is not the problem in NYC. It is that single party rule means our representatives no longer have to answer to us because they are essentially guaranteed a win.
Mike Bloomberg’s Mayoral term ended in 2013. Your math is pretty off
You know, when you just lump all “boomers” together, it suggests that you lump others as well based merely on their demographic or identity. Perhaps you could consider your neighbors as individuals and get to know them as such. Relying on stereotypes is lazy and frankly very sad. I imagine that every one of us, including you, could be defined by a lazy person based purely on what groups you could be a part of.
Thank you for saying this. As somebody who is a democrat, I find it so insulting that some progressives find it totally acceptable to discriminate based on age and based on ethnicity. There are a spectrum of viewpoints on the left. But extremists on the left have decided that if you’re not all in on every one of their views, you’re a racist you’re a bigot. You’re an old fart. And that you should be discarded. Democrats desperately need to expand the tent so that we can start winning elections again and stop pointing the finger at people who have a different view. Like you said, start treating people as human beings first and with empathy so that you can understand their viewpoint, and perhaps you can bring them to your side rather than insulting them and guaranteeing that they will be your enemy
It would be useful if The Rag actually asked some probing questions of candidates. It should ask Mamdani why he’s a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and not a Democrat. Why was he a big supporter of the “Uncommitted National Movement” and “Leave it Blank NY” campaign during last year’s presidential race, which urged Democrats not to vote in the presidential primary to protest then-President Joe Biden’s refusal to condemn Israel defending itself in Gaza? If one is looking for a mainstream, smart, balanced choice, I recommend checking out independent candidate Jim Walden — https://jimfornyc.com/ He is really a great choice for all of us.
Because those things are good
These comments are so scary! People wake up!!! Conservative values are fighting a losing battle. Progress cannot be stopped only slowed – to the detriment of all of us and our neighborhood and our city.
Well the Republicans hardly ever have a primary around here so this is up to yall, but red flag that he seems to emulate Michelle Wu. She just recently had to go on a media campaign to explain why she apologized for the death of a crazed man who tried to stab several people instead of thanking the brave officers who likely saved several lives that night. She also wants to let illegal immigrants vote. No thanks
If you’re looking for a far left, democratic socialist with no experience running anything, then Zohran is your guy.
Way to go West Side Rag comments section. It is really nice to see differing opinions and not personal attacks or vitriol. It is possible to have a virtual public square!
Zohran Mamdani is offering a fresh perspective and much-needed change for our city. His progressive policies—focusing on affordable housing, fair wages, and public services—are about uplifting our communities rather than serving entrenched interests. The negativity directed at him often seems rooted in fear and a refusal to embrace new ideas. It’s important to recognize that critiquing oppressive systems, like the colonial and apartheid-like practices of some states, is about advocating for human rights and equality—not about attacking any people or traditions. We can stand for justice and reform while respecting all communities, and that’s exactly the kind of leadership Zohran represents.
We need more police. More enforcement. And consequences for breaking the law. We gave the far left their chance and they delivered a sorry chaotic mess. The free for all on our streets must end and it wont end by electing someone who pretentiously describes the office of Mayor as “a delegate, a liason, a messenger.” Sounds like more woke-speak to me. It makes me nauseous. We can’t afford more of that idiocy.
I am ranking Zohran on my ballot because seeing what I have seen on the UWS, is that Muslims do not have a place in this city and in this country, even if they have nothing to do with the anti Israel protests going on. Liberals do not even stick their neck out for Muslims and it is time to have a Muslim mayor.