Zoran Mamdani’s significant win reflects a broader trend of financial anxiety among young New Yorkers.
Many in my generation seem drawn to socialism, possibly due to a lack of historical and economic education that would help them see through the alluring claims of “free services.”
This is why, as a Gen Z New Yorker, Mamdani’s victory wasn’t completely surprising to me. It was disappointing, yes, but not unexpected—like watching a familiar story unfold.
A survey from Cato Institute in March 2025, conducted with YouGov, revealed that 60% of adults aged 18 to 29 view socialism positively. This isn’t news to me; I’ve seen it among friends and peers for a while.
Even more concerning is that 34% of young individuals have favorable views of communism, while only 2% of older generations recall the grim realities associated with that ideology.
This comfort with destructive ideologies stems from a lack of awareness. For instance, less than 20% of young people showed proficiency in history, as noted in NAEP reports from their eighth-grade years. If they had even a basic grasp of the past, they’d know about the millions of lives lost under communism and the horrific conditions of events like Soviet gulags or famines caused by oppressive regimes.
Moreover, 60% to 75% of American college students have never taken an economics class at university, according to the Journal of Economic Education. To add to that, just 28 states require high school students to complete an economics course before graduation.
This widespread financial illiteracy among Gen Z is alarming. The 2025 TIAA Institute-GFLEC Finance and Retirement Report indicates their functional knowledge is considerably lower compared to older generations.
It’s almost predictable that many are lured by socialism. If you’re unaware of history or how the economy operates, then low rents, free transportation, and appealing tax proposals can sound incredibly attractive.
Mamdani’s promises seem straightforward—”New York is too expensive; I’ll make it cheaper.” Coupled with his savvy use of social media, he tapped into the anxieties and ignorance of the youth, pushing them to engage in the political process.
He managed to mobilize a record number of first-time voters. The New York Times reported that 37,000 individuals registered to vote in the two weeks leading up to the primary election, in stark contrast to just 3,000 before the 2021 election.
Interestingly, close to a quarter of early Democratic voters were casting their ballots for the first time, with those aged 25 to 34 being the most active.
To sum it up, young New Yorkers played a pivotal role in Mamdani’s victory.
While I believe my peers’ fascination with socialism is misguided, I can understand how they fell into that mindset.
Local Democrats have not exactly provided a compelling alternative. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has left a complicated legacy, to put it mildly.
Additionally, many of my peers feel overwhelmed by constantly shifting job markets due to advancements in AI, mounting student debt, and a housing crisis that seems out of reach.
This generation has faced challenges since the pandemic snatched away stability at such a formative time, leaving them financially anxious.
Now, they see a new face, complete with TikTok clips and Instagram reels, promising affordable living and enticing benefits.
With the education system failing to equip them with better knowledge, it’s hard to expect them to stand firm against these attractive, yet ultimately flawed, ideas.
