“I will no longer look for myself in the shadows,” Mamdani said on a cool, sunny afternoon, surrounded by men and women set to attend Friday congregational prayer, or jummah.

leftist Zohran Mamdani has burst onto New York's political scene and is closing in on becoming the first Muslim mayor of America's most populous city.

As New York City voters head to the polls to decide the next mayor, the Democratic frontrunner and his policy proposals have been thrust into the national spotlight.

The countdown is on to Election Day in New York City, as voters prepare to choose a new mayor. The candidates faced off in their second and final debate Wednesday, and early voting is now underway. The mayoral race has been full of twists and turns,

Polling places open Saturday for the start of in-person voting for two of the year's most closely watched elections: The New York City mayor's race and the contest to pick New Jersey's next governor.

"Today confirms what we’ve long known: Andrew Cuomo is running for Eric Adams’ second term," Mamdani said in a statement Thursday.