Mamdani appeals to non-Democrats with general election push, vows government can meet voters' 'material needs'

Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani made an appeal to non-Democrats during brief remarks in Brooklyn on Sunday kicking off his general vote campaign Mamdani who defeated former New York Gov Andrew Cuomo by percentage points in the June primary lately concluded his five-day anti-Donald Trump tour of each of New York City's boroughs last week Without referencing Trump this time around Mamdani addressed supporters in Brooklyn on Sunday with a message on affordability and local leadership being able to take care of voters' material necessities Are there more New Yorkers who want to join this movement for a city that they can in fact afford Mamdani who's campaigned on socialist and communist ideas such as government-run grocery stores and rent freezes mentioned MAMDANI DEFENDS CITY-RUN GROCERY PLAN SAYS STORE OWNERS CAN BE 'PARTNERS'Mamdani recalled a conversation he disclosed he had on primary vote day with a volunteer of an organization who endorsed his campaign He revealed the volunteer had gotten a phone call from a coworker about aunties and uncles who were current down at the poll sites after they'd been informed they weren't registered as Democrats and able to vote at that time Only registered Democrats were eligible to vote in the June primary Mamdani also described the story of an -year-old man pulling up next to him on a motorbike on primary polling night to ask for a selfie Mamdani stated he questioned the young man if he had voted and that they used his license to check his registration According to Mamdani the man was a registered Republican who was ineligible to vote in the primary but who could promotion the Democratic socialist candidate in the November general ballot I tell you the story of that -year-old young man of those aunties and uncles who had to be pulled away from those poll sites to remind us of how a large number of more New Yorkers there are for us to speak Mamdani revealed And I thank you for being here because so often any victories in politics are described as if they are that of just the candidate But you know the truth This is your preeminence It is your work that took us from in the polls to beating a former governor by points Mamdani credited his campaign canvassers who went door to door in six-floor walk-ups rain or shine for taking a campaign that was considered at best an absorbing idea to one that has won the bulk votes of any in New York City primary history Mamdani received more than votes in the June primary though voter turnout was less than of registered Democrats NEW ANALYSIS REVEALS MAMDANI LAPPING RIVALS IN BATTLE FOR CAMPAIGN DONATIONS FROM THIS KEY INDUSTRY I thank you for being here in the modern day because what you show is that this movement is just getting started Yeah we are just getting started because we know there are so multiple more neighborhoods for us to reach so multiple New Yorkers for us to speak to and so numerous more people who we can certainly show that there is the possibility that local establishment could indeed meet their material demands Mamdani added on Sunday And I thank you for doing this because you are the ones who are changing history in this city and in this country and it's an honor to be one part of this movement with each and every one of you Mamdani who has in recent months walked back his long-vocal stance on defunding police concluded his remarks without taking questions from the press but earlier Sunday took to social media to address a mass shooting in Brooklyn He explained the Crown Heights episode had stolen the lives of three New Yorkers and injured eight more adding that he was grateful for the first responders who rushed towards the danger and worked to save lives We cannot accept gun violence in our city Mamdani wrote Cuomo who is running as an independent in the November voting has lately increased attacks on Mamdani for living in a rent-stabilized apartment despite his wealthy upbringing Mamdani the son of an acclaimed Indian filmmaker and a Columbia University professor of late returned from an extravagant wedding celebration in Uganda He has also lately walked back his prior endorsement for the phrase globalize the intifada after widespread criticism and concern from the New York Jewish group Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is also running as an independent in November The Republican mayoral hopeful is Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa