The upcoming replacement for Zoran Mamdani in the state assembly, representing the People’s Republic of Astoria, might lean even further left than he does.
Three women, all part of the Democratic Socialists of America, are vying for this position and are actively seeking the party’s backing, which has become quite influential in New York.
Mehrunnisa “Mary” Jobaida, who is a first-generation Bangladeshi-American, adopts an extreme stance on criminal justice, advocating for the “decriminalization of all forms of poverty” in line with DSA’s radical agenda.
She argues that “countless residents…are being punished for simply trying to survive,” pushing to end arrests for fare evasion, unauthorized vending, and food theft, among other issues.
Jobaida, at 45, also believes prisons should be abolished except for serious violent crimes, stating that other offenses are merely “mistakes.” It’s worth noting that even Mamdani, who has been in office since 2021, did not fully endorse such extreme measures during his campaign.
His seat will be vacant starting January 1, when he assumes his new role at City Hall. New York Governor Kathy Hochul will have ten days to schedule a special election, likely occurring within two months. Notably, there are no Republican or moderate Democratic candidates pursuing this role.
While Mamdani missed 50% of votes, including a significant bill this year, his ally Diana Moreno, seen as a leading candidate, defended him, claiming he “exceeded [her] expectations” during their collaboration on the 2020 state election campaign.
Moreno, who is 38, recounted a personal anecdote, describing Mamdani, the son of a billionaire filmmaker, as quite frugal—once asking her to lend him $20 for laundry during a financial pinch.
She echoed the DSA’s themes in announcing her candidacy, saying she wants to “fight the rise of fascism.” Her reasons for running shifted significantly after the birth of her child, as she expressed feeling compelled to act amid a “political crisis.”
Officially launching her campaign on November 22, Moreno has held prominent roles in DSA, such as communications director and co-chair of its Queens chapter.
The third contender, Rana Abdelhamid, another activist from Queens, brings a unique background. At 32, she has been a vocal opponent of anti-Muslim sentiment since the 9/11 attacks and previously worked in tech with a desired income.
Her advocacy work gained further visibility during her unsuccessful congressional run in 2022, and she founded organizations like “New York Hijabi” and Marika, the latter being a self-defense program inspired by a personal experience from her teenage years.
After the recent Hamas attacks, she shared a video of her arrest during a pro-Palestinian protest in Grand Central Terminal, drawing attention to her activism.
Moreno has already received DSA’s endorsement in her campaign, which is also supported by several notable figures in the party.
