New York, US (EFE).- Housing affordability, public safety, and the soaring cost of living topping their concerns, Latino voters could play a decisive role in New York City’s upcoming mayoral election on Nov. 4.
Among the city’s 5.1 million registered voters, 1.1 million are Latino, representing 21.6% of the electorate, and their ballots could determine who becomes the next mayor.
Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old progressive and member of the New York State Assembly since 2020, currently leads the race, seeking to build on his primary victory to become the city’s next mayor.
Despite lacking a long political track record, his promises to tackle economic inequality have struck a chord among working-class voters.
A recent survey by the Hispanic Federation found that 48% of Latino respondents back Mamdani, saying he focuses on the issues that matter most to them.
Frankie Miranda, president of the Federation, told EFE that “Latino voters are following this race closely, watching the polls every day, which shows a lot of enthusiasm for what’s happening.”
Mamdani faces two well-known rivals: former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels group and a repeat candidate.
According to the same poll, 24% support Cuomo and 12% favor Sliwa, while another 12% remain undecided, highlighting the need for candidates to directly address Latino concerns.
Economic pressures dominate Latino priorities
Miranda emphasized that economic survival remains the community’s top priority.
“For a long time, Latinos have wanted to hear about pocketbook issues, affordable housing, jobs, inflation, and the cost of living,” he said.
“While one candidate is talking about these topics, others are focused on who’s more prepared or who has more experience.”
Although Mamdani does not speak Spanish, he has aired Spanish-language campaign ads to reach Latino voters directly. His platform includes rent protection for low-income tenants, free public transportation, universal childcare, and lower food prices.
Cuomo, meanwhile, has relied on his experience as a former governor and federal housing secretary to court moderate and older voters, while Sliwa’s campaign centers on public safety and crime reduction, key concerns for many New Yorkers.
A vote that can no longer be ignored
“The Latino vote is extremely important,” Miranda stressed, recalling that Mamdani credited Latino turnout for his primary win.
He warned, however, that the community’s support “should never be taken for granted,” comparing it to swing-state behavior in national elections. “Candidates really need to work for it because Latinos don’t vote out of party loyalty,” he added.
Latino voters are also still recovering from the pandemic, Miranda noted, saying COVID-19 “had a huge impact on their lives and families,” making them more likely to support candidates offering tangible solutions.
Democratic Congressman Adriano Espaillat echoed that view, telling EFE that the Latino vote “has become more decisive over the years.” He said participation among Latinos has doubled compared with the last mayoral race four years ago.
“I love the fact that our community is participating,” he said, referring to early voting that began on Oct. 25 and continues through Nov. 2.
The final vote will be held on Nov. 4. Espaillat stressed that the next mayor must “defend Latinos from the attacks of President Donald Trump’s administration, which strikes without mercy.”
New York, a predominantly Democratic city, has not elected a Republican mayor since Michael Bloomberg (2002–2013), who switched to independent status in his third term, and Rudolph Giuliani (1994–2001) before him. EFE
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