Supporters and skeptics debate whether 34-year-old assemblyman is ready to lead nation’s largest city
Is 34-Year-Old Assemblyman Ready to Lead Nation’s Largest City?
As Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani sprints toward Election Day, a fundamental question divides New York voters across all five boroughs: Is a 34-year-old state assemblyman who managed a paid staff of only five until recently ready to lead the nation’s largest city?
From the congested streets of downtown Flushing to the brownstone blocks of Park Slope, interviews with more than 50 New York voters have revealed neighborhoods, blocks, and sometimes even households passionately divided over the answer.
Voter Doubts About Qualifications
A Quinnipiac University poll released in October found that close to half of New York City voters harbor doubts about his qualifications, even as he maintains a strong lead over his rivals. When asked whether Mamdani possesses the right kind of experience to be mayor, just 39 percent said he does, while 47 percent said he does not. In striking contrast, 73 percent said former Governor Andrew Cuomo has “the right kind of experience” for the job.
High Stakes for NYC’s Next Mayor
The stakes of this question are substantial. The next mayor will take control of a city contending with soaring living costs, a potential budget shortfall estimated at $7 billion by the Independent Budget Office, and ongoing threats from President Trump’s administration regarding federal funding and immigration enforcement.
Youth and Energy as a Feature, Not a Bug
For Mamdani’s most enthusiastic supporters, his age and youthful energy are as central to his appeal as his promises of free buses and a rent freeze. They see his relative inexperience as a feature, not a bug–evidence that he hasn’t been corrupted by years in the political establishment.
“That’s exactly why I’m voting for him,” said 21-year-old Steven Ye after casting his ballot in downtown Flushing, Queens. “We need fresh perspectives, not more of the same old politics.”
However, even some supporters express nervousness. “I’m not going to lie, I’m a bit nervous,” Ye admitted. “But we have to take chances on new leaders sometimes.”
Supporters Struggle With Readiness Concerns
Other supporters who agree with Mamdani’s vision have struggled with concerns about his readiness. “I’m not sure that he has the experience to deal with what’s going on in this city, of all cities,” said Sue Ann Todhunter, a self-described “old hippie” who was inclined to support Mamdani. “It’s a lot.”
Some voters switched their support at the last moment due to experience concerns. “He is not ready,” said Maria Fattore, a voice coach in Astoria who changed her vote from Mamdani to Cuomo. “I agree with the vision. I agree with the fact that your generation needs to be given the reins. But you need to have the ability.”
According to research from the Harvard Kennedy School, there is no perfect preparation to lead New York City, and mayoral elections are frequently won not on the strength of a résumé but on ideas and vision.
Cuomo’s Attacks on Mamdani’s Resume
Still, virtually all of Mamdani’s predecessors have arrived with meaningfully more professional, political, and life experience. During debates, Cuomo has repeatedly hammered this theme.
“This is no job for on-the-job training,” Cuomo declared during an October exchange. “He never has had a job. On his resume it said he interned for his mother. This is not a job for a first-timer.”
Cuomo emphasized the need for experience in handling crises: “Any day you could have a hurricane, God forbid, a 9-11, a health pandemic. If you don’t know what you’re doing, people will die.”
Mamdani’s Counterattacks
Mamdani has countered these attacks by highlighting Cuomo’s own failures. “If we have a health pandemic, then why would New Yorkers turn to the governor who sent seniors to their death in nursing homes?” Mamdani responded, referencing controversies from Cuomo’s handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa has taken a different approach, mocking both candidates. “Zorhan, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City,” Sliwa quipped during a debate.
Bold Progressive Ideas Overcome Resume Concerns
Political scientists note that Mamdani has overcome experience concerns by offering bold progressive ideas that resonate with voters struggling with affordability. According to NYU political scientist Christina Greer, “Mamdani overcame Cuomo’s attacks over his relatively thin resume by offering big progressive ideas, like freezing apartment rents and offering free city bus service, that appeal to many young voters.”
The Center for American Progress reports that voters increasingly prioritize policy positions over traditional qualifications, particularly among younger demographics who feel the current system has failed them.
Comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Mamdani’s campaign has been compared to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s stunning 2018 congressional primary victory, when the then-28-year-old bartender defeated a powerful 10-term incumbent. That race demonstrated that in an era of economic anxiety and political polarization, voters may value authenticity and bold policy proposals over conventional credentials.
Establishment Democrats Push Back
Moderate Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi of New York backed Cuomo late last month, stating on social media: “I’m a Democratic Capitalist, not a Democratic Socialist. I endorse Andrew Cuomo. I can not back a declared socialist with a thin resume to run the most complex city in America.”
Yet Mamdani’s supporters argue that his lack of deep establishment ties is precisely what makes him qualified to challenge the status quo. His campaign has mobilized 90,000 volunteers and drawn comparisons to Barack Obama’s 2008 grassroots movement, suggesting that his organizational abilities should not be underestimated.
Coalition Building and Civic Engagement
As documented by the Brennan Center for Justice, successful urban governance requires not just executive experience but the ability to build coalitions, inspire civic engagement, and articulate a compelling vision. Mamdani’s primary victory over a former governor suggests he possesses these skills.
Enormous Responsibilities Ahead
The next mayor will oversee more than 300,000 municipal employees and manage a $115 billion budget that must be balanced each year by law. They will also need to navigate relationships with Albany, Washington, and a diverse array of stakeholders across the city.
Whether Mamdani’s campaign skills will translate to governing effectiveness remains the central question voters must answer on November 4.
