New York, Aug 29 (AP) In the bustling streets of Harlem, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani appeared calm as he transitioned from a towering high-rise to a vibrant street festival on a recent Sunday.
His presence was purposeful: Although victorious in the Democratic primary in June, securing the nomination for the November general election, Mamdani had underperformed in predominantly Black neighborhoods. His current focus is to solidify connections with the wary older generation there.
Black New Yorkers constitute about 22% of the city's 8.8 million residents, standing as a pivotal voting bloc.
Mamdani and his supporters aim to leverage the rapport he enjoys with young progressives to build trust among older Black citizens. A significant challenge for the 33-year-old Queens assembly member is his competition with seasoned political figures — former Gov Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams — who have dedicated years to forging alliances in Black communities, their churches, and nurturing community mentors.
Mamdani is pinning his hopes on his primary issue — making the city more affordable — to bridge demographic divides. This strategy may prove effective, as per AP VoteCast, with around 6 in 10 Black voters in New York expressing significant concern about personal housing costs in the 2024 election.
"What I've heard from Black voters across the five boroughs is that the affordability crisis is one that is pushing them out of this city," Mamdani conveyed to The Associated Press. "I've engaged the older generation in dialogues about applying affordability universally. It's not just tenants facing challenges; homeowners are struggling too."
Young Black voters resonate with Mamdani's affordability narrative. Jerrell Gray, a 26-year-old with Caribbean roots and a master's degree from New York University, works with a public health nonprofit as an assistant director. Yet, he resides with his mother in Brooklyn's Flatbush due to exorbitant rental rates.
"Many of my talented peers end up leaving New York City because of its unaffordability or a feeling of disconnect," shared Gray, a Mamdani advocate.
As Mamdani attracts younger Black progressives, his opponents maintain a slight edge with the parental and grandparental age groups.
Mamdani recounted, "I asked a pastor — who had endorsed Andrew Cuomo earlier in the primary — for the reason. He said, 'I endorsed Mario's son because Mario treated me well,'" referring to Cuomo's father, Mario Cuomo, a thrice-elected governor.
Older Black New Yorkers favored Cuomo in the primary. An AP analysis revealed Mamdani's shortfall among Black voters, securing only eight of the city's 33 majority-Black areas in June, whereas Cuomo dominated 25. Four years earlier, Adams triumphed in all 33 majority-Black neighborhoods.
Some older Black voters appreciate Cuomo's leadership during the COVID-19 crisis, recalling his composure during uncertainty and economic strife, along with decades of engagement with Black churches and community gatherings since his father's tenure.
"Cuomo offered a sense of safety during the pandemic," expressed Nerissa Robinson, 58, from Brooklyn, who leans toward Cuomo, despite the harassment scandal prompting his 2021 resignation as governor.
"Voters recognize Andrew Cuomo's efforts for them," stated Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi. "They know he'll continue to fight for them."
Adams, New York’s second Black mayor, exited the Democratic primary following bribery allegations. He incensed liberal voters by fraternizing with President Donald Trump, whose legal team secured a dismissal of the bribery charges. Similar to Cuomo, he contests the November election as an independent.
Adams' spokesperson, Todd Shapiro, underscored that primary results don't provide a complete perspective. All candidates have the potential to influence the mayoral race, he noted.
Polls omit New York's unaffiliated registered voters, who constitute 23.9% of the electorate.
"The people of this city recognize who's genuinely fighting for them, which is why Eric Adams will gain ground in the polls and triumph," said Shapiro.
Endorsements have surged for Mamdani since the primary. His address to the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network at a civil rights rally in Harlem highlights Black voters' significance to his campaign.
In the months following, Mamdani secured endorsements from prominent New York political figures. His primary win signals a yearning for "disruptive politics," as described by Columbia University professor and analyst Basil Smikle. Mamdani has attracted support from the likes of Brooklyn Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, initially Adams' backer and later aligned with Cuomo prior to the 2025 Democratic primary.
"Whether in Flatbush, Midwood, or Ditmas Park, constituents crave affordability," Bichotte Hermelyn commented, referencing her Caribbean heritage shared by many in these locales.
Yet, Mamdani's vision alone may not sway voters skeptical of his limited experience. The Democratic nominee's political journey as a state assemblymember began only in 2021.
Political analyst Darius Jones noted that older Black voters yearn for leaders who demonstrate more than empathetic speeches; they seek evidence of tangible policy change.
"They've heard many make promises that appeal to vulnerable communities, only to be let down," said Jones, who leads the National Black Empowerment Action Fund.
Mamdani remains hopeful, confident that affordability will resonate with Black voters of varied backgrounds.
"We witnessed a steep decline in the number of Black children and teenagers between 2010 and 2019, a consequence of city leadership's failure to address the affordability crisis," he remarked. (AP) RD RD
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
