Mamdani’s NYC Bid Tests Democratic Socialists | JQJO

As Zohran Mamdani rallies Sunday with Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the democratic left is framing his front-running New York City mayoral bid as a defining test. He touts universal child care, free buses, city-owned groceries and a rent freeze — proposals critics say are unrealistic and costly, at nearly $7 billion a year. Mamdani has softened some stances, pledged to apologize for calling the Police Department racist and says he’d retain police commissioner Jessica Tisch. Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed him but rejects his tax hikes; top senators have withheld support as voters eye basics like trash and crime.