WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch The NYC Mayor's Race: A Socialist vs. Andrew Cuomo
Jun 19, 2025
Mene Ukwe Barua, an editorial board member at The Wall Street Journal, and Mary Anastasia O'Grady, a columnist at the same outlet, dive into the heated NYC mayoral race featuring Zohran Mamdani, a socialist advocating for rent freezes and government grocery stores, versus former Governor Andrew Cuomo. They discuss the tension between progressive reforms and traditional Democratic practices, the effects of ranked-choice voting, and the ongoing impact of Cuomo's scandals on his campaign as he seeks redemption amid a backdrop of mixed voter reactions.
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Mamdani's Progressive Appeal
- Zoran Mamdani appeals to New York's progressive base with radical proposals like rent freeze and government grocery stores.
- His stance energizes voters disillusioned by city chaos and Trump, similar to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's approach.
Mamdani's Viral Immigration Protest
- Mamdani once confronted Trump's border czar during immigration raids in New York.
- This viral moment introduced him as a vocal advocate for protecting illegal immigrants.
Economic Risks of Mamdani Policies
- Mamdani's proposals like rent freeze and city-run grocery stores ignore basic economic price signals.
- Such policies risk shortages, misallocation, and bureaucratic inefficiencies, worsening New York's existing supply problems.