How Zehran Mamdani Won Over Jewish Voters

It is unclear exactly what percentage of the Jewish vote Mamdani secured, as New York City does not collect election data based on religion. However, a CNN exit poll indicated that 32 percent of Jewish respondents voted for him. This figure is the lowest among religious groups and far below his overall 50.4 percent share of total votes, yet the 32 percent figure can be misleading.

For supporters of the new mayor, the decisive issue was the economy. For Jewish voters, it was about values — and Israel should take note.

According to Rokna, citing Haaretz, an unexpected development in Zehran Mamdani’s path to victory in the New York mayoral race this week was that, despite sharp warnings about his alleged “anti-Semitism” and hostility toward Israel, he garnered a significant portion of the city’s Jewish vote. But what exactly were these Jewish voters thinking?

As noted, it is difficult to determine who is considered “Jewish.” Ultra-Orthodox Jews differ so greatly from other Jews in lifestyle, income, and social beliefs that politically, they should be regarded as a separate group. They are generally poorer than other Jews, which should steer them toward progressive candidates like Mamdani, yet on social issues, they are highly conservative — a factor that has drawn them to the Republican camp.

In the 2024 presidential election, according to the Jewish Voters Resource Center, approximately 86 percent of Orthodox Jews voted for Donald Trump (with an even higher rate among Hasidic Jews), while among non-Orthodox Jews, Trump’s share ranged from 14 to 32 percent. Although CNN did not release Jewish votes by subgroup, neighborhood-level voting results showed that in Hasidic areas, Andrew Cuomo received up to 90 percent support — results reminiscent of North Korean elections. Therefore, non-Orthodox Jews must have contributed more than 32 percent of their votes to Mamdani.

Undoubtedly, some progressive Jewish voters accepted Mamdani’s opposition to Israel and reconciled with the fact that, within the left wing of the Democratic Party, anti-Israel positions have become as integral as commitments to environmental protection or universal healthcare. Yet, for the majority of New York Jews, who according to the 2023 UJA Federation survey still have strong emotional ties to Israel, the main factor in supporting Mamdani was his economic agenda, not his foreign policy stance.

Mamdani identifies as a “Democratic Socialist,” a label that Trump and Republicans have equated with “communism.” However, this characterization is exaggerated. Even “Democratic Socialist” is somewhat imprecise, as Mamdani neither intends to nationalize industries nor implement a vast welfare expansion. Ideas such as government-run grocery stores or free public transit have been trialed previously in cities like Kansas City or Boston.

Even if Mamdani were to fulfill all his promises, New York would not become a “People’s Republic of the Big Apple.” Practically, he would be unable to do so, as the mayor’s powers are limited and the city’s finances cannot support billion-dollar projects. Consequently, at best, these initiatives may only make the city somewhat more affordable or equitable.

Nevertheless, most Mamdani voters likely understood this — just as Trump voters understood that his pledges to end the Ukraine war before inauguration or eliminate inflation on day one were unrealistic. Idealistic promises, rather than political realism, mobilize voter sentiment.

In a time when Americans, particularly New Yorkers, are struggling under inflation and growing inequality, proposals like government-run stores or free childcare, though modest and symbolic, are tangible and appealing to families burdened by living costs.

Blaming the Baby Boomer Generation

According to a widely accepted view — likely accurate — younger generations have been most affected by the economic crisis. The “Baby Boomer” generation (born 1946–1964) built their lives on opportunities and resources no longer available to their children and grandchildren.

One young New Yorker told The New York Times: “Post-WWII Americans were handed the world on a silver platter — affordable university, cheap housing, abundant job opportunities. Most became wealthier than their parents. But us? College tuition is four times higher, home prices double, good jobs moved to China, and living costs in remaining cities are staggering.”

For many young people, capitalism no longer delivers, so why not try “socialism”? According to a 2025 Cato Institute survey, about 62 percent of Americans under 30 have a positive view of socialism. CNN exit polls also showed that the younger the voter, the more likely they were to support Mamdani.

Although Jewish voters are generally wealthier than the average American — for example, according to UJA Federation data, 36 percent of Jewish households in New York earn over $150,000 (compared with 29 percent of other households) — this wealth does not deter them from leftist political currents. In fact, contrary to expectations, affluent Jews also vote for candidates who raise taxes or implement policies they may not personally need.

The Jewish Voters Resource Center has shown that 46 percent of Jews consider themselves liberal, and only 17 percent conservative; 59 percent are Democrats and just 16 percent Republicans.

Trump labeled Jewish voters supporting Mamdani as “fools.” However, according to CNN data, these voters were more educated than the average Trump voter — 57 percent of those with graduate degrees (Jewish or non-Jewish) voted for Mamdani, compared with only 38 percent for Cuomo.

Liberal Jewish voters believe in progressive economic programs because they align with their ethical and human values, even if financially disadvantageous. This is not inherent to Judaism itself, but stems from a modern liberal education that teaches politics as a tool for societal betterment rather than personal gain.

Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker notes that such education and thinking lead wealthier individuals to view politics as a sphere for public good rather than private enrichment.

Here lies the caution: Jewish voters in New York who supported Mamdani were willing to set aside ethnic and national interests to vote according to values they believe in — values often at odds with current Israeli government policies. If this trend continues among global Jewish communities, it could weaken the bond between Israel and the Jewish diaspora in the future.