Zohran Mamdani Didn't Run on 'Affordability.' He Ran Against Prices. |
Zohran Mamdani
Peter Suderman | From the February/March 2026 issue
In the February/March 2026 issue of Reason, we explore Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's policy goals and what they mean for New York City. Click here to read the other entries.
Zohran Mamdani's campaign for mayor of New York City was defined by a single word: affordability. Mamdani repeated the word, almost robotically, in every imaginable setting, no matter the question or context.
In a debate with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani contrasted his approach with his opponent's, insisting that Cuomo offered fear, whereas he would deliver affordability. When journalist Jorge Ramos asked Mamdani about whether he'd call Latin American authoritarians dictators, Mamdani demurred, saying he was more focused on affordability for the five boroughs. Mamdani's campaign was bolstered by clever social media, and one of his most memorable and effective videos was a complaint about the high price of takeout meals from halal