NYC’s radical candidate gains ground—what it means for taxpayers.

Zohran Mamdani, the self-described democratic socialist who captured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor in June, is now dominating both in fundraising and polling as the city heads into the critical post–Labor Day sprint toward November.

Between early July and mid-August, the city’s campaign finance board confirmed Mamdani raised a striking $1,051,200—nearly double his closest rival. The average contribution was $121, with money flowing from both inside and outside New York. Former governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent after a turbulent political career, brought in $541,301 at a far higher average donation of $646. Current mayor Eric Adams, himself now running as an independent after his Democratic troubles, raised $425,181 with an average donation of $770. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa trailed with $407,332.

The financial edge is translating into real momentum. A Siena poll last week placed Mamdani 19 points ahead of Cuomo, his nearest challenger. A broader polling average shows him with a consistent double-digit lead. In a city where Democratic candidates often dominate, the challenge for his opponents is not only catching up—but convincing voters to think twice about what his platform really means.

Mamdani’s proposals go far beyond typical liberal promises. He has openly pushed for government-controlled grocery stores, free buses, taxpayer-funded childcare, sweeping rent freezes across nearly a million apartments, and even new taxes targeting Columbia and New York University to subsidize city colleges and trade schools. These ideas may sound appealing to some voters in theory, but they represent a massive expansion of government power, new bureaucracies, and a heavy financial burden on taxpayers who are already squeezed.

Despite casting himself as an anti-billionaire crusader, Mamdani’s campaign benefitted from a $250,000 donation to a supporting PAC from Elizabeth Simons, daughter of late hedge fund billionaire Jamie Simons. The irony is not lost on critics who see this as proof that even “anti-wealth” candidates still rely on the very resources they denounce.

Meanwhile, Mamdani has amassed a sizable war chest—$4.4 million on hand—along with eligibility for $2.2 million more in public matching funds. That kind of taxpayer-financed campaign support underscores the structural advantage New York’s system gives to candidates promising big government programs, while outsiders with fewer ties to the city’s political machine are left at a disadvantage.

By contrast, Adams has been barred from accessing matching funds after violations of campaign finance law, further eroding his position. Cuomo, scrambling to stay competitive, has begun shifting money from his old state campaign account—roughly $7.5 million worth—into his city campaign. He currently holds $1.2 million on hand and could qualify for about $400,000 in public funds.

Yet both Adams and Sliwa remain in the race, despite pressure to clear the way for a more unified challenge against Mamdani. Adams, now weighed down by scandal, has refused to exit even after his close adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin was indicted for allegedly running a political-favors scheme that included seafood bribes and even an acting role opposite Forest Whitaker.

Cuomo, ever combative, has hinted at Republican voters being asked to strategically back him in order to stop Mamdani. According to reports, he told supporters he expects GOP leaders, including Donald Trump, to urge Republicans to shift support from Sliwa to block what he describes as a dangerous alternative. Trump himself reportedly called Mamdani “a 100% Communist Lunatic.” Mamdani shot back, declaring that he is “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.”

Cuomo, however, believes the tide may turn once New Yorkers get a closer look at Mamdani’s record and platform. “I don’t think the public even knows who the assemblyman is, what he represents, what his positions are. So I think the more they find out about him, the less they’re going to like him, and … his appeal is going to drop dramatically,” Cuomo said Friday.

For his part, Mamdani has accused Cuomo of dishonesty, suggesting the former governor is quietly courting Trump’s support despite their long history of clashes. “It’s par for the course for Andrew Cuomo,” Mamdani said Tuesday.

The battle now moves into a crucial stretch. The question isn’t just whether Mamdani can maintain his lead—it’s whether voters in America’s largest city will endorse a platform of sweeping government expansion, higher taxes, and deeper dependence on public programs. For conservatives watching from the sidelines, the race serves as a test case of what happens when radical promises collide with fiscal reality, personal liberty, and the basic limits of what government should do.