New York Mayoral Election Stirring Mixed Feelings

The mayoral election in New York City is stirring unease across the political spectrum, although, oddly enough, not within the city itself.

Recently, I met a man named Al in a park in Mott Haven, Bronx. He’s in his early 40s and works for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. When I asked about the proposal for free buses from Democratic Socialist candidate Zoran Mamdani, he simply said, “Free buses is stupid,” but then added, “It’s not going to happen anyway. My bosses like money.”

During my two-day journey talking to voters throughout New York, I couldn’t help but notice a prevailing attitude toward this election that felt, well, quite disrespectful.

A mayoral candidate oscillating between the absurd and the dubious is making his final push to the voters.

I also spoke with Derrick, a hospitality worker in Midtown, who is in his 50s. He seemed confused, stating that he believes former socialist Mayor Bill de Blasio was better than the current mayor, Eric Adams, yet he supports Curtis Sliwa.

This puzzled me too. Derrick explained, “We know Curtis, and he loves New York City,” mimicking the familiar Brooklyn accent. “I saw the Guardian Angel on the subway when I was a kid, and he’s a hero.”

This brings to light that New York City voters don’t fit neatly into the categories we’re fond of, and maybe that’s refreshing.

The next day, I stopped by Steiny’s Pub in St. George’s, Staten Island, just a bit from the ferry dock. I met Cindy and Dennis there; Cindy is a bartender and a mother in her early 30s, while Dennis is retired, both having formerly worked in schools.

“It’s no big deal,” Cindy remarked. “Life happens here, not through the kings who run things.”

Dennis nodded, adding, “I’ve lived under all of them—mayors, that is—and you’re working hard, doing okay.”

At that moment, I was left feeling confused about what was branded the election of the century. Who was I going to meet that was actually excited about it?

Then, my Uber driver, Naveed, who is from Pakistan and has two college-aged daughters, gave me some insight. “On the first day of early voting, my friends in California texted me all to vote for Zoran, but I was already in line,” he chuckled.

He shared that the enthusiasm for Mamdani among his community was exceptional and unlike anything he had experienced before. This was the one moment of enthusiasm I encountered, and it felt noteworthy.

Getting out of the car in Bay Ridge felt familiar; I used to hang out there before moving to West Virginia two years back.

I specifically headed to Bay Ridge not only for Salty Dog’s Brooklyn-style wings but also because it’s a Republican stronghold crucial to Cuomo’s chances.

I met Steve and Suzanne, who have lived in the neighborhood together for 23 years. “Has Cuomo ever been to Bay Ridge, Suze?” Steve asked. She just shrugged. The general sentiment was that he hadn’t made an appearance; no one had seen him, at least.

In contrast, I learned that Sliwa was a daily presence in the area, illustrating Cuomo’s apparent disconnect with Republican New Yorkers. I would call this complete political negligence.

When Steve asked, “Who will win?” I replied, “That’s a question for you.” He remarked, “I don’t know, maybe whoever that is, but Bay Ridge stays the same.”

To sum up the general response I heard from nearly every New Yorker I spoke to: it’s an “is what it is” kind of election.

On the surface, New York changes quickly, yet beneath it all, there’s a consistent identity, a heartbeat, regardless of who’s in charge, at least over the last 40 years I’ve known.

No one I’ve met seems to think that Comrade Mamdani can alter that reality. After all, everyone has experienced life under socialist leadership with de Blasio, and New York continues to thrive.

The essence of Gotham lies within its people—like Steve, who rises at 4 a.m. for work on Long Island. They feel indifferent toward Mamdani, perhaps rightfully so.

New York City remains New York City. People are not panicking, even if the national narrative suggests they ought to be. This is the Big Apple, after all, and that’s just the way it is.