In the New York City mayoral primary, Zoran Mamdani sparked a sensation by winning, with the analysis indicating that the concerns of highly educated, low-income voters regarding their living expenses and housing difficulties played a significant role in his victory. Young voters with bachelor's degrees or higher reacted to Mamdani's radical promises, such as freezing rents, public grocery stores, and free transportation, shaking the traditional political landscape.

On the 25th (local time), supporters of Democratic mayoral candidate Joran Mamdani cheer in New York, USA. /Courtesy of AP=Yonhap News

Mamdani has been classified as an outsider within the existing New York political circles. However, in this primary, he emerged as a noteworthy figure, leading most electorates with a high percentage of voters holding bachelor's degrees or higher against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that support was confirmed not only among young white voters but also among the highly educated Asian and Hispanic communities.

The background appears to reveal extensive dissatisfaction regarding soaring housing expenses and living costs. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the inflation rate in New York City has exceeded the national average, particularly driven by rising housing costs. According to the real estate platform Zumper, the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in New York City has increased by 15.8% compared to the previous year, reaching $5,500. During the same period, the vacancy rate fell to 1.4%, hitting the lowest level since the 1960s.

This situation leads to circumstances in which individuals must leave the city, exceeding the simple burden of living expenses. A voter in their 20s living in Brooklyn, New York, said, "More than half of my salary goes toward rent, and dining out is a major decision," adding, "The very question of whether I can stay in the city is a matter of survival."

Democratic mayoral candidate Joran Mamdani of New York. /Courtesy of AP=Yonhap News

The number of those leaving New York City is also increasing. A couple residing in New York, interviewed by WSJ, stated, "If we move to Massachusetts, we can get a dwelling twice as large for $400 less per month," adding, "We love New York, but we can no longer afford it." The exodus of young, high-income professionals leaving the city for the same reason is also being detected.

On the other hand, there is a growing consensus among some high-income voters that "the city should be a space for everyone." A young software engineer in their 20s commented, "We are fortunate to have a stable income, but I know many do not," and added, "I'm willing to accept that Mamdani's policies might require me to pay more taxes."

This primary is interpreted as a manifestation of intergenerational and cross-class conflicts regarding the future of the city of New York. Experts diagnosed that "in a city where the top 1% holds 36% of total income, the sense of crisis felt by the remaining 99% has been released into politics."

Mamdani emerged as a strong candidate by winning the Democratic primary, but his final election will only be confirmed after facing the main election in November. Nevertheless, it has become clear through this primary that the political landscape in New York is being structurally shaken. WSJ reported that "New York is no longer a place where dreams come true, but rather a city of struggle for survival."