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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
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Margaret Sullivan

It’s clear why Zohran Mamdani is leading in the New York mayoral race

Zohran Mamdani Kathy Hochul Andrew Cuomo Bill Ackman New York Mike Bloomberg
Zohran MamdaniFILE - New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a rally, Oct. 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa, File)
‘The pro-Trump billionaire Bill Ackman has warned New Yorkers that Mamdani’s personality is a fraud.’ Photograph: Heather Khalifa/AP

For someone who exudes positive energy and seldom stops smiling, Zohran Mamdani certainly does provoke a lot of negative reactions.

“He’s not who you think he is,” one TV ad glowered over gloomy images of the 34-year-old state assemblymember who is the clear frontrunner for New York City mayor. The ad doesn’t make clear precisely what the supposed disconnect is, but the tagline clearly is meant to give voters pause.

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