In search of to curry favor with a constituency that has been considerably skeptical of him, Democratic mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani participated in a watercolor portray class with older New Yorkers at a senior middle in Brooklyn on Thursday.
His outreach effort obtained a combined response.
Democratic mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani participated in a watercolor portray class with older New Yorkers at a senior middle in Brooklyn on Thursday. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Each day Information)
Lipscomb, who used to work for the town’s Human Assets Administration, mentioned she is going to vote in Tuesday’s mayoral election, however stays uncertain about who to again between Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, his chief rival within the race.
“[Cuomo] was there before, what much did he do?” she mentioned, a reference to his time as governor. “I’m like just thinking on it.”
Mamdani, a Queens Meeting member who at 34 would change into the youngest mayor in trendy metropolis historical past, is polling as the favourite to win subsequent week’s election, constantly holding a double digit edge over Cuomo in survey after survey.
But, one among Mamdani’s weak spots is older generations of New Yorkers.
Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual {and professional} misconduct accusations he denies, has within the polls been beating Mamdani with older voters, a few of whom are uneasy about Mamdani’s stage of govt expertise and unabashed left-wing politics.
Early voting began Saturday, and voters over 55, as of Wednesday evening, made up a slim majority of these displaying up at polling websites, a development that would profit Cuomo.
New York Metropolis mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani holds a rally at 966 Fulton St. in Brooklyn on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Each day Information)
In opposition to that backdrop, Mamdani confirmed up on the senior middle in Bedstuy on Thursday. He spent about half-hour engaged on a water coloration portray of a forest panorama whereas chatting with seniors about his marketing campaign and their lives.
“I have to warn you I am not very good at painting,” Mamdani advised them at one level.
In remarks, Mamdani advised the room he has been vexed by his agenda being portrayed as a platform just for younger folks. His marketing campaign has been centered on pledges to extend taxes on the rich with a view to present expanded social companies for low-income New Yorkers, like free public buses and hire freezes for stabilized tenants, and Mamdani argued these are insurance policies that profit all New Yorkers.
“Sometimes I’ve been frustrated by the way in which people think cost of living is a young person’s issue, because what I’ve actually found time and again is that cost of living is affecting every single New Yorker, no matter their age,” he mentioned.
That a part of Mamdani’s message went over effectively with among the seniors within the room.
A lady who solely recognized herself as Cenie provided Mamdani a rose as a jokeful reference to the “Golden Bachelor” TV present, which the mayoral candidate’s marketing campaign just lately spoofed in a tv advert.
Democratic mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani receives a pink rose at a senior middle in Brooklyn on Thursday. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Each day Information)
“Would you accept a rose to represent us?” Cenie mentioned to applause from the room.
“Yes, thank you,” he replied.
Whereas she remained undecided on methods to vote, Lipscomb, the retired metropolis employee, voiced settlement with the central theme of Mamdani’s marketing campaign message.
“They cut everything for the poor people. When are you going to cut for the rich who already have, who can afford it?” she mentioned when requested what she’s searching for in a mayoral candidate. “It’s like there’s always the attack on the less fortunate, and that’s what gets me.”
