New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., react on stage during a "New York is Not for Sale" rally at Forest Hills Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City on Oct. 26, 2025. (Reuters/Eduardo Munoz)
Mamdani is a member of New York City's chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. The DSA has endorsed his candidacy and some of its members delivered remarks during the star-studded rally on Sunday.
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Hallie, who lives in Bushwick, Brooklyn, said she supports Mamdani for the "obvious reasons," including representing "every New Yorker" with his commitment to affordability and safety.
She said that Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez are "absolutely" the future of the Democratic Party and that his candidacy gives her hope.
"I feel like that's very clear with the turnout for this election, for the primaries, and just like seeing the people that are here filling a stadium just to support him, I think that's a big indication of the future," Hallie said.
More than 10,000 supporters packed into Forest Hills Stadium on Sunday, according to the Mamdani campaign.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks on stage during a campaign rally for New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani at Forest Hills Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City on Oct. 26, 2025. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
Hochul was heckled by attendees several times during her remarks, who chanted, "Tax the rich!"
Mamdani's plan to raise taxes on corporations and the top 1% of New Yorkers to pay for his campaign promises, like free childcare, free buses and city-run grocery stores, would require Hochul's approval, and the governor has ruled out raising taxes.
"I hear ya," Hochul responded as the stadium erupted with pleas to "tax the rich!"
"I love everything Zoran is bringing to the table as far as giving a new sort of energy and enthusiasm to New York City politics, actually caring about the citizens of New York City, finding life to be affordable and enjoyable and healthy for all of us. I don't see how anybody couldn't get behind that," Matt Ransdell, who lives in Manhattan's Washington Heights, told Fox News Digital.
Ransdell said Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez "could be" the future of the Democratic Party, adding that the democratic socialist movement of Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani is "so fresh and encouraging."
"There's something incredibly communal about it," Ransdell said. "The way I feel actually bonded, even here at this rally, it's insane. The energy is infectious," he said.
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a campaign rally at Forest Hills Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City on Oct. 26, 2025. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
"The voice of the younger generation is speaking as loud as it can, and if the older generation isn't willing to listen, we're going to have a problem," Randsell added.
Lane, another New Yorker who attended Sunday's rally, said he hopes they are the future.
"Look, not everyone's going to support him," Lane said. "He's got maybe a brand that's a little bit further ahead of what some people's tastes are, but I certainly support him. I certainly hope that that's the direction that the party goes in."
Lane said he "absolutely" identifies as a democratic socialist, "maybe even further if that's possible."
Jessica, who lives in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and works for Voters of Tomorrow, a Gen Z-led progressive political action group, said Mamdani's campaign has "energized a lot of young people," inspiring them to get out and vote.
She said Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez "both understand the affordability crisis that young people face right now and are both actually proposing policies to fight that and make young adults' lives better."
"Young people are the future of the Democratic Party," Jessica said. "I think it's young voters who are canvassing, getting out there, making their voices heard, that's who's shaping it," she said.
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The latest Fox News survey, conducted Oct. 10-14, ahead of the first general election debate last week, revealed that Mamdani has a substantial lead in the race.
According to the poll, Mamdani has a 21-point lead among New York City registered voters with 49% of voters backing Mamdani, while 28% go for Cuomo and 13% favor Sliwa.
Mamdani also rose above the 50% threshold among likely voters, garnering 52% support, while Cuomo picked up 28%, and Sliwa received just 14%.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nyc-voters-embrace-democratic-socialism-aoc-sanders-stump-mamdani