6:02Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic contender for New York City Mayor, takes a selfie alongside a backer during a campaign stop in Manhattan’s Upper East Side locality during the early voting phase, in New York, October 27, 2025. Mike Segar/Reuters
A survey group comprised of youthful New York City inhabitants, organized during the early voting timeframe of a fiercely contested mayoral campaign, revealed that the affordability-centered message of Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani resonated strongly with participants who are concerned about the cost of living in the nation’s most populous metropolis.
Analysts from the Harvard Institute of Politics queried the group, spanning ages 22 to 29, regarding their paramount life stressors and their inclinations in this year’s mayoral contest, with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding of the political perspectives held by New York City’s younger demographic.
This analysis emerges as the significance of the youth electorate in this year’s mayoral selection has grown substantially, with Mamdani specifically garnering accolades for his digital media approach, which enabled him to effectively engage the Gen Z voting bloc during the Democratic primary. It could also offer insights into the potential conduct of Gen Z voters in the 2026 midterm elections, as Republican representatives nationwide aim to preserve their hold on the Senate and their narrow majority in the House of Representatives.
Participants in the assembly originated from locales including The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, representing diverse educational attainments and professional paths. Enthusiasts for Mamdani spanned the political landscape, including a pair of individuals who cast their ballots for President Donald Trump in the prior year’s presidential race.
Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, poses for a selfie with a supporter while campaigning in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood during early voting, in New York, October 27, 2025.Mike Segar/Reuters
One such participant was Matthew A., a 27-year-old Republican originally from Texas, currently residing in Manhattan. Focus group participants were identified using only their given name followed by their last initial.
"I'm excited. I believe he possesses exceptional strategies," Matthew stated.
"Resembles another Bernie"
He drew parallels between Trump and Mamdani, suggesting that with both individuals, "there’s no inconsistency."
"The Bernie-Trump conduit is quite genuine," remarked Thomas L., a 25-year-old Republican, also a Trump voter, residing in Queens, in reference to the cohort of independent Sen. Bernie Sanders proponents who were drawn to Trump’s populist rhetoric after Sanders exited the Democratic primary campaign in 2016. "[Mamdani] appears to be another Bernie, and that’s what I desire.”
Generally, attendees identified the escalating cost of living as a principal source of apprehension among young individuals residing in New York City and convey hope that Mamdani’s proposed initiatives could potentially ease the burden of inhabiting the city they cherish.
"I anticipate that my circumstances could markedly improve should he prevail," expressed Elyssa F., a 22-year-old Democrat based in Queens.
Additional participants valued Mamdani’s position against the establishment, as well as his viewpoint on Israel.
Researchers from the Harvard Institute of Politics gathered a focus group comprising New York City Gen Z voters to improve comprehension of their political views prior to the New York City mayoral election.ABC News
"In the Democratic primary debate, when each candidate was presented with the query, ‘Which nation would you initially visit,’ Mamdani stood alone in not mentioning Israel," elucidated Patrick G., a 29-year-old independent resident of Brooklyn. "It imparted the feeling that, astoundingly, everyone is truly compromised."
"There exists a justification for the vast wealth being channeled to Cuomo… because Mamdani champions the populace, whereas the establishment advocates for corporations," Patrick elaborated.
"It’s genuinely disheartening and disgraceful," commented Liana S. – a 23-year-old Democrat residing in Manhattan – concerning those Democrats who have neglected to endorse Mamdani. "Many Democrats adopt the stance of ‘Vote blue regardless of the candidate – except for Zohran.’"
Following Mamdani’s triumph in the Democratic primary this past June, New York party leaders in Congress exhibited reluctance in offering their backing.
It was not until the recent week that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, representing a congressional area spanning Brooklyn and a segment of Queens, sanctioned Mamdani subsequent to prolonged contemplation regarding his engagement. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Brooklyn native, has not yet delivered his endorsement in the electoral contest, despite the commencement of early voting.
Close to 300,000 New York City denizens have participated in voting procedures, as the fourth day of early voting draws to a close — a contrast to the 55,000 New Yorkers who had partaken at the equivalent stage in 2021 — thus signifying an exceptional degree of fervor this election has stirred.
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani converses with supporters within Lips Cafe, Oct. 25, 2025, situated in the East Flatbush sector of the Brooklyn borough in New York.Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
"Optimally, it would construct a framework, especially for the Democratic Party, to acknowledge, ‘We are in effect capable of promoting a vision, rather than our complete manifesto simply being Trump is disagreeable,’" Patrick conveyed. "It symbolizes a tangible vision aimed at uplifting individuals’ lives, firmly concentrated on affordability.”
Skepticism Towards the Political Class
Skepticism with respect to the existing political framework emerged as a catalyst for some attendees’ backing of Mamdani, with one appraising former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — who is contesting the mayoral election as an independent post losing to Mamdani in the primary — as an "establishment figurehead."
"Should [Mamdani] secure victory, it will indicate to other Democrats more aligned with the establishment that it remains feasible. Furthermore, we possess a decisive role in the election, and we won’t simply endorse the Democrats favored by the establishment," Liana incorporated.
Mamdani, who attained the age of 34 this month, would emerge as the youngest mayor of New York City in excess of a century—a detail that certain participants perceive as assisting him in developing an enhanced grasp of the challenges experienced by young individuals dwelling within New York City.
"I consider [Mamdani] a superior option compared to individuals exceeding 50 or 60 years in age, particularly those whose recent job search involved perusing a newspaper and marking classifieds," Matthew posited.
To these survey group attendees, a Mamdani victory embodies optimism.
"It conveys hope that the will of the populace persists, and that the concerted resistance against Mamdani has extended to every conceivable degree and every conceivable element – they promptly resorted to post-9/11 Islamophobia," Thomas recounted. "I had not anticipated that Democrats would venture so remotely, yet their inclinations suggest otherwise."
New York independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks next to mayor Eric Adams in New York on Oct. 23, 2025.Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
Cuomo and current New York City Mayor Eric Adams encountered controversy as a result of statements directed at Mamdani that held the potential to be regarded as anti-Muslim, encompassing a scenario where Cuomo chuckled alongside a radio presenter who speculated that Mamdani would celebrate another 9/11. Adams mentioned "Islamic extremists" during his endorsement of Cuomo.
"We’re Poised for Change"
"We simply yearn to witness a newcomer, a fresh perspective, to embolden us to embrace novelty and genuinely foster a transformation within the community," proposed Bennur C., a 29-year-old Democrat residing in Brooklyn.
"We’re poised for change," Matthew affirmed. "We seek advancement beyond the status quo. We aspire to betterment."
While the attendees are advocating for Mamdani premised on their belief that his strategies would mitigate their hardships, the historical magnitude of his candidacy has not eluded them.
"New York City functioned as the nucleus of Islamophobia subsequent to 9/11, and New York City verges on electing its inaugural Muslim mayor. That’s rather remarkable," Patrick stated.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
