Support for Zoran Mamdani Among Asian Immigrants in NYC
A report released Wednesday highlights that Zoran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, is garnering significant backing from Asian immigrants throughout the city, particularly in communities with high immigrant populations.
Mamdani, who identifies as a socialist and is currently leading the mayoral race, has gained a notable advantage over former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. This surge is largely attributed to support from foreign-born voters, who traditionally favor left-leaning candidates.
According to the far-left magazine Jacobin, Mamdani’s campaign is effectively engaging Asian immigrants residing in areas characterized by high immigrant density.
However, Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist, is questioning the conventional beliefs about the political inclinations of Asian American immigrants. During the Democratic primary in June, he promoted a platform that portrayed left-oriented policies as a pathway to alleviating economic difficulties, securing victory in the Asian American district. This is notable, especially considering that four years ago, many voters had leaned toward centrist incumbent Eric Adams.
Mamdani has shown strong performance in primaries within New York’s ethnic neighborhoods. In these areas, first- and second-generation immigrants are more likely to gather, seeking familiarity in language and cultural staples, as well as local services that help reduce living costs. His messages particularly resonated in places like Pelham Parkway, which has a significant Vietnamese-American population and a median household income barely reaching $60,000—about 75% of the city’s average household income.
Interestingly, despite former Governor Cuomo’s early success in the Bronx, where Vietnamese American voters have historically leaned conservative (51% supporting the Republican Party per a 2023 Pew poll), Mamdani only trailed by ten points in Pelham Parkway. Nonetheless, he excelled in other Asian areas, winning the primary by 28 points in Manhattan’s Chinatown and 16 points in the predominantly Asian 49th Congressional District. Additionally, Republican state Rep. Lester Chan is running unopposed for re-election in 2024.
A recent study by Patriot Poll has illustrated the impact of mass immigration on Mamdani’s campaign. Among voters in New York City born outside the U.S., he holds a commanding 62% support, while Cuomo and Sliwa trailed with 24% and 12%, respectively. Conversely, among American voters in New York City, Cuomo leads with 40%, while Mamdani’s support has dipped to 31%, with Sliwa climbing to 25%.
