1 00:00:00,934 --> 00:00:02,369 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: We are going to send Andrew 2 00:00:02,402 --> 00:00:04,838 Cuomo back to the suburbs. 3 00:00:04,871 --> 00:00:07,907 - Zoran Mamdani built a following with viral videos, 4 00:00:07,941 --> 00:00:10,543 pitching himself as an unapologetic progressive 5 00:00:10,577 --> 00:00:13,413 in his campaign to be the next Democratic mayor of New York 6 00:00:13,446 --> 00:00:14,414 City. 7 00:00:14,447 --> 00:00:17,283 He says his campaign has drawn 40,000 volunteers 8 00:00:17,317 --> 00:00:19,119 and knocked on a million doors. 9 00:00:19,152 --> 00:00:21,354 But will that translate into votes? 10 00:00:21,388 --> 00:00:22,589 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: Let's win this thing. 11 00:00:22,622 --> 00:00:25,191 - Tuesday's primary is a test of the Democratic party's 12 00:00:25,225 --> 00:00:26,760 direction following President Donald 13 00:00:26,793 --> 00:00:28,495 Trump's victory last November. 14 00:00:28,528 --> 00:00:31,765 The party is divided between the older, centrist establishment 15 00:00:31,798 --> 00:00:33,767 like former Governor Andrew Cuomo 16 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:36,369 and younger progressives like Mamdani, 17 00:00:36,403 --> 00:00:38,271 a State Assemblyman and a self-described 18 00:00:38,304 --> 00:00:39,672 Democratic socialist. 19 00:00:39,706 --> 00:00:44,210 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: The name is Mamdani, Mamdani. 20 00:00:44,244 --> 00:00:45,645 You should learn how to say it. 21 00:00:45,678 --> 00:00:47,580 - He has zero accomplishments. 22 00:00:47,614 --> 00:00:48,915 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: I want to be very clear. 23 00:00:48,948 --> 00:00:50,784 - And now, he thinks he's going to be ready to be 24 00:00:50,817 --> 00:00:52,952 mayor of the city of New York. 25 00:00:52,986 --> 00:00:54,621 It is laughable. 26 00:00:54,654 --> 00:00:55,889 It is laughable. 27 00:00:55,922 --> 00:00:57,223 And it is dangerous. 28 00:00:57,257 --> 00:00:58,591 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: I think Andrew Cuomo is 29 00:00:58,625 --> 00:01:01,394 the perfect representation of the politics of the past, 30 00:01:01,428 --> 00:01:04,898 of leadership within our own party that 31 00:01:04,931 --> 00:01:09,035 helped give rise to Donald Trump and the affordability crisis. 32 00:01:09,069 --> 00:01:10,637 And ultimately, New York City is under attack 33 00:01:10,670 --> 00:01:12,105 from both of those things. 34 00:01:12,138 --> 00:01:13,373 Thank you so much. 35 00:01:13,406 --> 00:01:16,476 - If elected, Mamdani would be the city's first Muslim mayor. 36 00:01:16,509 --> 00:01:19,712 His campaign has resonated with younger New Yorkers. 37 00:01:19,746 --> 00:01:22,515 PAUL MIMS: I am supporting Zohran because I 38 00:01:22,549 --> 00:01:24,084 am sick of the status quo. 39 00:01:24,117 --> 00:01:26,753 And New York has always been historically 40 00:01:26,786 --> 00:01:27,854 resistant to change. 41 00:01:27,887 --> 00:01:28,755 And we need change. 42 00:01:28,788 --> 00:01:29,956 JAROD BAKUM: I think Cuomo doesn't know 43 00:01:29,989 --> 00:01:32,192 how much a dozen eggs costs. 44 00:01:32,225 --> 00:01:34,861 And I think that's indicative of him as a candidate. 45 00:01:34,894 --> 00:01:37,964 And I think Zohran probably does know what a dozen eggs costs. 46 00:01:37,997 --> 00:01:39,265 - Do you think the National Democratic 47 00:01:39,299 --> 00:01:42,802 Party is attuned to what eggs cost and the idea-- 48 00:01:42,836 --> 00:01:45,505 JAROD BAKUM: No, no, no, no, no, no. 49 00:01:45,538 --> 00:01:48,575 Senators make over $100,000 a year. 50 00:01:48,608 --> 00:01:50,944 And I don't know how I'm going to make rent next month. 51 00:01:50,977 --> 00:01:55,715 So there's an entire ocean between most of the Democrats 52 00:01:55,748 --> 00:01:57,484 in the Senate and me. 53 00:01:57,517 --> 00:02:01,921 - Do you think Democrats over 80 in Congress should retire? 54 00:02:01,955 --> 00:02:03,723 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: I think it's time for a new generation 55 00:02:03,756 --> 00:02:04,791 of leadership. 56 00:02:04,824 --> 00:02:07,393 - It's been 15 years since Jimmy McMillan captured 57 00:02:07,427 --> 00:02:09,529 the city's attention with the campaign slogan, 58 00:02:09,562 --> 00:02:11,264 "the rent is too damn high." 59 00:02:11,297 --> 00:02:13,166 - Rent is too damn high. 60 00:02:13,199 --> 00:02:15,168 - The rent has only gotten higher since. 61 00:02:15,201 --> 00:02:18,304 Last year, the vacancy rate was just 1.4%. 62 00:02:18,338 --> 00:02:20,073 And the city says average housing costs 63 00:02:20,106 --> 00:02:23,476 rose 68% from 2011 to 2022. 64 00:02:23,510 --> 00:02:26,546 In addition to a rent freeze, Mamdani says he wants to make 65 00:02:26,579 --> 00:02:28,348 it easier to build new housing. 66 00:02:28,381 --> 00:02:30,483 - How fast can you actually have buildings built? 67 00:02:30,517 --> 00:02:33,019 This is one of the critiques of the Biden administration. 68 00:02:33,052 --> 00:02:35,388 They had all these great plans for infrastructure 69 00:02:35,421 --> 00:02:36,256 and development. 70 00:02:36,289 --> 00:02:37,657 But they still haven't broken ground. 71 00:02:37,690 --> 00:02:38,825 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: We should eliminate 72 00:02:38,858 --> 00:02:41,794 parking requirements in general for new construction. 73 00:02:41,828 --> 00:02:43,696 I think we should increase density 74 00:02:43,730 --> 00:02:44,998 around mass transit hubs. 75 00:02:45,031 --> 00:02:47,467 We should upzone wealthier neighborhoods 76 00:02:47,500 --> 00:02:49,002 that have historically not contributed 77 00:02:49,035 --> 00:02:50,670 to affordable housing production. 78 00:02:50,703 --> 00:02:52,872 But to your point, a lot of this also 79 00:02:52,906 --> 00:02:55,508 has to do with the processes underpinning that. 80 00:02:55,542 --> 00:03:00,046 But these are also the kinds of policy decisions that decide 81 00:03:00,046 --> 00:03:02,549 whether or not construction can actually take place, 82 00:03:02,582 --> 00:03:06,452 that untangle why Tokyo builds 10 homes 83 00:03:06,486 --> 00:03:08,321 per 1,000 people, Jersey City, seven, 84 00:03:08,354 --> 00:03:10,023 New York City, barely four. 85 00:03:10,056 --> 00:03:12,559 - Most voters we spoke to talked about housing, 86 00:03:12,592 --> 00:03:14,861 transportation, and fighting back against Trump 87 00:03:14,894 --> 00:03:15,962 as their top issues. 88 00:03:15,995 --> 00:03:18,798 PAT BEGLEY: I'm very nervous letting somebody who's 89 00:03:18,831 --> 00:03:22,936 31 years old or 33, who's really passed three bills 90 00:03:22,969 --> 00:03:28,208 and has never really had a job in charge of the city. 91 00:03:28,241 --> 00:03:30,343 So, yes, I am voting for Cuomo. 92 00:03:30,376 --> 00:03:33,112 And I know he comes with a lot of baggage. 93 00:03:33,146 --> 00:03:35,481 But I think we're going to have to fight against Trump. 94 00:03:35,515 --> 00:03:36,649 BERNARD DEVERIN: Andrew Cuomo. 95 00:03:36,683 --> 00:03:37,617 - How come? 96 00:03:37,650 --> 00:03:40,119 BERNARD DEVERIN: He's got the experience, 97 00:03:40,153 --> 00:03:43,756 having been in politics for many, many years. 98 00:03:43,790 --> 00:03:45,291 He's been governor. 99 00:03:45,325 --> 00:03:48,561 I think he's very focused on the issues of the city. 100 00:03:48,595 --> 00:03:50,296 We've got so many people in Congress 101 00:03:50,330 --> 00:03:52,098 that are over the age of 80. 102 00:03:52,131 --> 00:03:53,766 I think it's important that we bring 103 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,569 younger people up the ranks. 104 00:03:56,603 --> 00:03:59,239 But I think at this current time, 105 00:03:59,272 --> 00:04:02,041 I think he's the right choice for mayor. 106 00:04:02,075 --> 00:04:04,677 - Yes or no, do you believe in a Jewish state of Israel? 107 00:04:04,711 --> 00:04:07,247 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: I believe Israel has the right to exist. 108 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:08,314 - As a Jewish state? 109 00:04:08,348 --> 00:04:10,450 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: As a state with equal rights. 110 00:04:10,483 --> 00:04:13,820 - But some voters we spoke to said Israel was their top issue. 111 00:04:13,853 --> 00:04:17,423 Mamdani has called Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide, 112 00:04:17,457 --> 00:04:19,392 while Cuomo has blamed critics of Israel 113 00:04:19,425 --> 00:04:21,694 for a rise in anti-Semitic attacks. 114 00:04:21,728 --> 00:04:23,596 - So who are you voting for in the mayor's race? 115 00:04:23,630 --> 00:04:24,397 STEVE GIVNER: Cuomo. 116 00:04:24,430 --> 00:04:25,531 - Why? 117 00:04:25,565 --> 00:04:27,667 STEVE GIVNER: Zohran Mamdani, I feel, is anti-Semitic. 118 00:04:27,700 --> 00:04:30,136 He's a threat to the Jewish people and the state of Israel. 119 00:04:30,169 --> 00:04:32,905 That cannot be abided in New York City with 120 00:04:32,939 --> 00:04:34,807 its major Jewish population. 121 00:04:34,841 --> 00:04:38,911 - When you talk to voters, if they bring up the war in Gaza, 122 00:04:38,945 --> 00:04:40,179 what do they actually say? 123 00:04:40,213 --> 00:04:41,914 Like, do you have specifics? 124 00:04:41,948 --> 00:04:47,253 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: I have heard from many a real despair 125 00:04:47,287 --> 00:04:50,556 around what's been happening in Gaza over the last 18 months 126 00:04:50,590 --> 00:04:58,765 and beyond that, and a despair that has been echoed by many 127 00:04:58,798 --> 00:05:02,502 beyond those who we typically think of as being 128 00:05:02,535 --> 00:05:04,737 the faces of rightful critique. 129 00:05:04,771 --> 00:05:08,174 I was at a synagogue some months ago in the campaign, 130 00:05:08,207 --> 00:05:11,644 where an older Jewish woman came up to me 131 00:05:11,678 --> 00:05:13,646 and whispered in my ear, I disagree 132 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:14,847 with you on one position. 133 00:05:14,881 --> 00:05:16,282 I'm pretty sure you know which one it is. 134 00:05:16,316 --> 00:05:17,517 But I agree with you on the others. 135 00:05:17,550 --> 00:05:18,718 And I'm going to be ranking you. 136 00:05:18,751 --> 00:05:22,455 And I think that that, to me, also showcases how we're 137 00:05:22,488 --> 00:05:26,059 able to move forward is by being honest about our own positions, 138 00:05:26,092 --> 00:05:29,996 our own assessments, and also being able to speak 139 00:05:30,029 --> 00:05:31,297 to those who don't disagree with us 140 00:05:31,331 --> 00:05:33,433 without becoming disagreeable. 141 00:05:33,466 --> 00:05:36,202 - Progressive candidates tend to perform well among college 142 00:05:36,235 --> 00:05:37,904 educated white voters. 143 00:05:37,937 --> 00:05:40,039 But Mamdani is also trying to gain support 144 00:05:40,073 --> 00:05:42,709 where Cuomo has shown strength, among working 145 00:05:42,742 --> 00:05:44,410 class Black New Yorkers. 146 00:05:44,444 --> 00:05:47,747 - I'm just wondering, is there, like, within the DSA or lefty 147 00:05:47,780 --> 00:05:49,349 politics in general, is there kind 148 00:05:49,382 --> 00:05:51,584 of like a dilettante problem, that there are so many 149 00:05:51,617 --> 00:05:54,520 trust fund babies who talk about socialists, 150 00:05:54,554 --> 00:05:57,056 but they're not able to connect to the actual working class 151 00:05:57,090 --> 00:05:59,959 because they're so remote from that experience? 152 00:05:59,992 --> 00:06:02,195 ZOHRAN MAMDANI: I think the most important thing in our politics 153 00:06:02,228 --> 00:06:04,297 is to be honest. 154 00:06:04,330 --> 00:06:05,798 And I think some of what you're saying 155 00:06:05,832 --> 00:06:08,401 is also an unwillingness to recognize one's 156 00:06:08,434 --> 00:06:10,370 own role or one's own position. 157 00:06:10,403 --> 00:06:13,306 I don't think there is any one single ideology that 158 00:06:13,339 --> 00:06:15,308 is in the majority across our city, 159 00:06:15,341 --> 00:06:17,543 be it a progressive or anything else. 160 00:06:17,577 --> 00:06:19,712 But there is a majority of New Yorkers 161 00:06:19,746 --> 00:06:22,181 who feel left behind by the economic policies 162 00:06:22,215 --> 00:06:26,152 of this mayoral administration or politics today.