Overwhelmed by the NYC mayor’s race between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo? A guide for the perplexed
What you need to know about Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa
Mayoral candidates, Independent nominee former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani participate in a mayoral debate on October 16, 2025. Photo by Angelina Katsanis-Pool/Getty Images
By Hannah Feuer October 30, 2025
Just now tuning in to the New York City mayoral election or feeling utterly overwhelmed by it? As early voting is underway, and Tuesday’s election nears, here’s a look at what each mayoral candidate could mean for Jews.
– Zohran Mamdani –
Democratic nominee
Start here: Mamdani, a 34-year-old self-described democratic socialist, won the Democratic mayoral primary in a major upset in June. Mamdani has served as a State Assemblyman representing Queens since 2021. If elected, he would be the city’s first Muslim mayor.
His pitch to voters: Mamdani has focused on affordability. His signature campaign promises include making buses “fast and free,” freezing the rent for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments, and creating city-owned grocery stores.
Plans to combat antisemitism: Mamdani has committed to increase funding for hate crime prevention by 800%. He also supports the “Hidden Voices” curriculum, which teaches students about Jewish Americans in U.S. history, as a way to combat antisemitism in schools. The curriculum defines Zionism as “The right to Jewish national self-determination in their ancestral homeland,” which seems to be at odds with Mamdani’s own position that Israel has a right to exist as a democratic state, but not a Jewish one.
Positions on Israel and Gaza:
- Mamdani got his start in political organizing as co-founder of a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Bowdoin College, which he graduated from in 2014. He has called the Palestinian cause “central to my identity.”
- In 2020, Mamdani said he joined the Democratic Socialists of America because of their stance on Israel and said mayoral candidates should pledge to boycott Israel. He later downplayed those remarks, but has also called for a permanent end to New York City’s investments in Israel bonds.
- Days after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Mamdani said, and has repeated, that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
- Mamdani has declined to recognize Israel specifically as a Jewish state and said he would refuse to visit the country as mayor. He has also pledged to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to New York, honoring an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. The U.S. is not a party to the ICC, making it highly unlikely Mamdani would be able to carry out the arrest.
- In June, Mamdani drew fire for his initial refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” though he later said he would discourage its use.
Policies affecting Hasidic communities: Mamdani has said he would work to protect Hasidic yeshivas that face scrutiny for failing to meet state education standards.
Bagel order: “As someone who grew up in Morningside Heights, I have to go back to Absolute Bagels. Poppy seed bagel, scallion cream cheese. Some pulp Tropicana on the side. And this is going to lose me some votes, but to be honest with you: toasted.”
What else you need to know:
- Mamdani has clashed with the Anti-Defamation League, saying the ADL does not speak for New York Jews’ concerns.
- Mamdani has many Jewish advisors and was endorsed by Jewish city comptroller Brad Lander in the primary.
- Rabbis across the country have weighed in on Mamdani’s candidacy. A group of 650 rabbis and cantors signed a letter opposing Mamdani and the “political normalization” of anti-Zionism. A second rabbinic letter offered support for Mamdani, and there are others circulating as well.
- Ruth Messinger, the first Jewish woman to win a New York City mayoral primary, endorsed Mamdani.
- Mamdani has pledged to keep Jewish police commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is currently serving in Mayor Eric Adam’s administration.
– Andrew Cuomo –
Independent
Start here: Cuomo, the 67-year-old former governor of New York, is running as an independent in the general election after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani. Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment. Cuomo denied the allegations, and all criminal charges related to the matter have been dropped or dismissed.
His pitch to voters: Cuomo has cast himself as a pragmatic moderate with the governing experience to get policy passed. He has also argued Mamdani poses a threat to New York’s Jewish community.
Plans to combat antisemitism: Cuomo has committed to adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which labels many forms of anti-Zionism as antisemitic. He also plans to “provide a strong response to antisemitic incidents in schools, including curriculum reforms.”
Positions on Israel and Gaza:
- Cuomo visited Israel three times as governor. In 2016, he signed an executive order barring government business with any company that boycotts Israel.
- Cuomo has defended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against the International Criminal Court’s claims of war crimes. Later, he distanced himself from Netanyahu, saying, “I never stood with Bibi” and calling for the “horrific” Gaza war to end.
- In September, Cuomo told the Forward he wanted three things: “We want killing to stop, because it’s a matter of humanity. We want the hostages returned, and Hamas eliminated. If you don’t eliminate Hamas, you accomplish nothing. This will happen again and again.”
Policies affecting Hasidic communities: Cuomo apologized to New York’s Orthodox Jews for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as governor, when he imposed health restrictions that also limited religious gatherings.
“I recognize that some of those decisions caused pain in the Jewish community because we did not always fully consider the sensitivities and traditions that are so deeply important,” Cuomo said.
Bagel order: “Bacon, cheese and egg on an English muffin, and then I try to take off the bacon, but I don’t really take off the bacon. The bagel I try to stay away from, to keep my girlish figure.”
What else you need to know:
- Cuomo has been endorsed by several Orthodox Jewish leaders.
- Cuomo has referred to himself as a “Shabbos goy” and said Mamdani won’t be able to “stand up to Donald Trump, who’d knock him right on his tuches.”
- Cuomo has also pledged to keep Jewish police commissioner Jessica Tisch.
– Curtis Sliwa –
Republican nominee
Start here: Sliwa, 71, is a former radio talk show host and founder of the Guardian Angels, a nonprofit citizen patrol group that deploys volunteers across the city to deter crime. Sliwa is the Republican nominee after running unopposed in the primary. He is not a supporter of President Donald Trump and said he did not vote for him in 2016 or 2020.
His pitch to voters: Sliwa has a “law and order” platform and argues he is the best candidate on public safety. He has proposed hiring 7,000 new police officers.
Plans to combat antisemitism: Sliwa has said that “Jews must protect themselves,” telling the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “If you depend strictly on Gentiles, history is replete with instances where you’re going to be horribly disappointed.“ He said groups like Shmira or Shomrim, Jewish civilian watch groups that operate mostly in neighborhoods with large Orthodox Jewish populations, should secure Jewish safety.
In July, Sliwa apologized for past remarks about the Jewish community, including a claim that Hasidic Jews are “making babies like there’s no tomorrow” to collect government benefits.
“I’ve said a lot of things I shouldn’t have,” Sliwa told the Forward. “What I’ve learned in life is the art of apology. You have to understand the hurt that you cause people, and you have to apologize and mean it.”
Positions on Israel and Gaza: Sliwa has visited Israel three times and has criticized Mamdani as having “no love in his heart for the State of Israel and for Israelis.” He also rebuked Mamdani for his initial refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.” Sliwa has acknowledged that “there are many Jews who are opposed to the killing of what’s gone over in Gaza,” but said “I disagree with them.”
Policies affecting Hasidic communities: Sliwa said the Bill de Blasio administration didn’t do enough to enforce state guidelines requiring private school education to be “substantially equivalent” to instruction at public schools.
“If parochial schools and religious schools that are not ultra-Orthodox or Hasidic have to follow those rules, then everybody does,” Sliwa told the Forward. “We can’t start making exceptions.”
Bagel order: “I get me and my wife’s breakfast while she feeds our five rescue cats. For me it’s two toasted plain bagels. The schmear 🥯 is butter. My wife has an everything bagel toasted. The schmear is cream cheese. Two cups of coffee and we are good to go. I go to Giacomo on the UWS [Upper West Side]. A mom and pop shop with classical music playing and the customers standing on line waiting are a good political focus group for me. 👍”
What else you need to know:
- During the 1991 Crown Heights riots, Sliwa patrolled the streets with the Guardian Angels to protect the Jewish community.
- Sliwa has two Jewish sons who are being raised as Jews by their mother, Melinda Katz. She and Sliwa are no longer a couple.
- Sliwa was the sour garlic pickle-eating champion of the world for four years in a row.
- In 2002, Sliwa placed second in a matzah ball eating contest, only to be disqualified after he was caught squishing the matzah balls to get the liquid out.
