Voters weigh Mamdani youth against experience | JQJO

Zohran Mamdani’s surge to front-runner has energized New York City’s mayoral race, but voters remain split on whether the 34-year-old assemblyman is ready to run a $112 billion city government. Supporters tout free buses, a rent freeze, and his pledge to hire seasoned hands, backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Skeptics cite his thin résumé and polling showing 47 percent doubt his experience, even as he leads rivals including Andrew Cuomo. The stakes include soaring living costs, a potential budget shortfall, and President Trump’s threats to push immigration agents and national guardsman into cities and withhold federal funds if Mamdani enacts policies he opposes.