Muslim NYC Mayoral Candiate Zohran Mamdani Faces Islamophobic Threats and Pushback from Wealthy Landlords in Mayoral Race

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is confronting challenges on two fronts — threats rooted in Islamophobia and organized opposition from wealthy elites concerned about his progressive housing agenda, based on reports from The Tribune and The Guardian:

Earlier this month, prosecutors in New York charged Jeremy Fistel, a 44-year-old man from Texas, with making terroristic threats against Mamdani. Authorities said Fistel left a series of voicemails and written messages targeting the candidate with anti-Muslim slurs, telling him that “Muslims don’t belong here,” demanding that he “go back to Uganda,” and declaring that he and his family “deserve to die.” He faces a 22-count indictment that includes aggravated harassment and hate crime charges. Fistel has pleaded not guilty, with his lawyer arguing that the threats did not meet the threshold of immediacy required for prosecution. Mamdani’s campaign condemned the abuse, and security around the candidate has since been increased.

At the same time, Mamdani is facing mounting opposition from some of New York’s most powerful landlords and billionaire donors. The Democratic socialist, who polls show leading the mayoral race with around 45 percent support, has pledged to freeze rents for regulated apartments and impose modest tax increases on residents earning more than $1 million a year. These proposals have alarmed property owners and investors, who warn they could destabilize the housing market.

In response, wealthy backers have rallied behind Mamdani’s main rival, former governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent with the support of Mayor Eric Adams. Reports indicate that high-profile figures, including billionaire Michael Bloomberg and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, are among those channeling resources into efforts to block Mamdani’s rise.

The dual challenges highlight both the risks faced by Muslim politicians in the United States and the entrenched resistance to redistributive economic policies. While the threats have underscored the persistence of anti-Muslim prejudice in American politics, the funding battle reflects broader class tensions over who sets the city’s economic priorities.

Despite the pressure, Mamdani’s campaign remains strong, and the contest is expected to intensify ahead of the November 4 election.