Zohran Mamdani Seeks Support in Black Communities After Primary Victory

In the working-class neighborhoods of Queens, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, received respectful applause as he took the stage at an African Methodist Episcopal church one recent Sunday.

He acknowledged the deep legacy of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Church and honored a former senior pastor who was also a congressman and distinguished scholar. Then, he shifted focus to his purpose that day: delivering his political vision to an audience still largely unconvinced.

According to precinct data from the June 24 primary, just over one-third of voters in this section of Southeast Queens supported Mamdani, underscoring the significant work he faces to win over predominantly Black communities.

When Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman, outlined his plan to freeze rents in rent-stabilized apartments, murmurs and audible reactions emerged from the congregation, many of whom are homeowners.

Mamdani’s landmark primary victory came from building a broad coalition that included former Trump voters, immigrants, infrequent voters, and newly registered participants. However, it notably lacked majority support from Black voters, traditionally a key demographic for any successful citywide Democratic candidate.

His ability to secure a decisive win without capturing the majority of the Black vote signals a shift in New York City’s political landscape, challenging longstanding assumptions about the city’s Black electorate and its political influence.