NEW YORK, August 16, 2025 – Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Kwame Mamdani is gearing up for a major push in his campaign to become New York City’s next mayor, calling on supporters to join door-knocking efforts across the five boroughs just two days ahead of a planned “field relaunch.” In a video posted to X on Friday, the state assemblymember and self-described democratic socialist contrasted his grassroots strategy with rival Andrew Cuomo’s approach, accusing the former governor of retreating to the Hamptons to fundraise with billionaires.
“Happy Friday, New York City,” Mamdani said in the 27-second clip, filmed from an office overlooking Manhattan skyscrapers. “We are now just two days away from our big field relaunch. And while Andrew Cuomo heads back to the Hamptons to fundraise again with billionaires, we are getting ready to knock on doors across the five boroughs.”
Mamdani reported that 2,000 people have already signed up for canvassing but urged more to join, aiming for 3,000 volunteers. He directed viewers to his campaign website, zohranfornyc.com/events, to find local events. The post, captioned “I am once again asking you to knock doors to win a city we can afford,” echoes a popular meme from Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, emphasizing affordability issues central to Mamdani’s platform.
The relaunch comes amid a heated general election race, where Mamdani leads in recent polls. A Newsweek survey from early August showed Mamdani’s support equaling that of all his challengers combined, including Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, both running as independents. Mamdani’s upset victory in the June Democratic primary over Cuomo was hailed as a stunning win for progressive politics.
Cuomo, who relaunched his bid as an independent after the primary loss, has positioned himself as an underdog, attacking Mamdani’s policies on rent control and public transit. Recent reports indicate Cuomo is intensifying fundraising efforts, including events in affluent areas like the Hamptons, which Mamdani highlighted in his video. Adams, facing low approval ratings and legal challenges, has vowed to stay in the race, potentially splitting the centrist vote.
Mamdani’s campaign focuses on freezing rents, making buses fast and free, and delivering universal childcare—policies he argues will make the city more affordable for working families. As the frontrunner, he has also criticized national figures like President Trump, further energizing his base.
The general election is set for November 4, 2025, with analysts predicting a tight contest if the field remains divided. Mamdani’s call for volunteers underscores his reliance on grassroots mobilization, a strategy that propelled his primary win and could prove decisive in the months ahead.