New York City is no stranger to contentious politics, but the 2025 mayoral race has introduced a level of anxiety that extends far beyond ideological disputes. At the center of the storm is Democratic Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, whose meteoric rise to the top of the polls has sent shockwaves through the city’s Jewish community—and prompted a striking campaign from the watchdog group StopAntisemitism.
On October 16, StopAntisemitism took to X (formerly Twitter) with a message both urgent and unsettling: “New Yorkers – looking to relocate if Mamdani wins the NYC mayoral race? We’d love to connect you to realtors in FL, TX, CT, etc. You deserve to live in a city not run by an antisemite.” That offer has since triggered a flood of responses—more than 300 in the first few days, according to the group’s founder, Liora Rez.
“I think the vast, vast majority of Jews in New York City are extremely frightened of what will happen if this man takes the mayoral seat,” Rez told The Daily Wire. “He will put Jewish safety on the back burner.”
The concern is not merely rhetorical. According to Victory Insights, a quarter of New Yorkers say they would consider leaving the city if Mamdani becomes mayor. The numbers reflect more than political disagreement—they point to a deep cultural and security-related unease.
Mamdani’s critics point to his long-standing ties with figures and organizations that have been accused of promoting antisemitic rhetoric and policies. Chief among them is Linda Sarsour, the controversial activist and co-founder of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York. Sarsour is a prominent supporter of the Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) movement targeting Israel and left the Women’s March amid allegations of antisemitism and organizational dysfunction.
Mamdani’s political career has been intertwined with Sarsour’s from the beginning. In 2015, he joined her Muslim Democratic Club; by 2018, she had placed him on the club’s board. Most recently, Mamdani praised Imam Siraj Wahhaj—an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing—calling him “a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community.”
Wahhaj’s name alone evokes strong reactions. He has been tied to radical sermons and controversial teachings, yet Mamdani’s public admiration for him has drawn little criticism from within his own party. That silence has only fueled suspicion.
Adding to the fire is Mamdani’s refusal to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada,” a phrase widely interpreted as a call for violence against Jews and the State of Israel. His stance—or lack thereof—has galvanized Jewish leaders nationwide, prompting hundreds of rabbis, including many based in New York, to sign an open letter expressing deep concern over his rhetoric and affiliations.
Meanwhile, StopAntisemitism has expanded its effort, partnering with realtors across the country to assist Jewish families looking to relocate. The move is unprecedented in recent electoral cycles—highlighting just how high the stakes feel for many.
For former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, Mamdani’s surge presents a complicated challenge. Both trail him in current polling, yet the conversation around antisemitism has given the race a volatile edge that could shift public sentiment in the final stretch.
Whether Mamdani will respond directly to the rising criticism remains uncertain. His campaign, until now, has largely sidestepped the most controversial aspects of his record and associations. But the pressure is building—and for many, this election is not just about taxes, crime, or housing. It’s about trust, safety, and the soul of America’s largest city.
As one StopAntisemitism post declared bluntly: “Antisemites understand one thing—consequences.” For Mamdani and the city he seeks to govern, that warning now echoes far beyond the social media feed.