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New York City voters are heading to the polls today to elect a new mayor, with Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani emerging as the frontrunner. Mamdani, a 34-year-old assemblyman from Queens, has led in several polls over former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. If elected, Mamdani would become the city's first Muslim mayor. His campaign has focused on affordability, proposing rent freezes, free childcare, and free city buses.
Former Governor Cuomo, running as an independent, has struggled to gain momentum following his loss in the Democratic primary. Despite his political experience, Cuomo's campaign has been overshadowed by past controversies, including a sexual harassment scandal. He has received endorsements from prominent figures like President Trump, who warned that federal funding could be at risk if Mamdani wins.
Curtis Sliwa, known for founding the Guardian Angels, remains in the race despite low polling numbers. He has positioned himself as an outsider, focusing on crime prevention.
Current Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the race, endorsed Cuomo. Over 735,000 early ballots have been cast, significantly more than in the 2021 election. Polls will close at 9 p.m., and results are expected to start coming in shortly after.
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