Jewish Americans support Zohran Mamdani at remarkably high rates, particularly among younger voters. According to a poll by Zenith Research, 67% of Jewish voters aged 18 to 44 in New York City plan to support Mamdani in the mayoral race. This strong backing from young Jewish voters contributes significantly to his overall 43% support among the city’s Jewish population.
While Mamdani maintains a consistent lead in the mayoral race, recent polls show varying margins. A Zenith Research and Public Progress Solutions survey predicted Mamdani would dominate all four opponents combined, capturing 50 percent of the vote. However, a more recent Quinnipiac University survey indicates a tightening race, with Mamdani ahead of Cuomo by 10 percentage points (43% to 33%). Additionally, Mamdani has successfully built a diverse coalition, with his support among Black voters jumping from 50% to 71% since defeating Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
The candidate’s campaign has gained momentum through endorsements from progressive Jewish organizations, including Bend the Arc, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice. This grassroots support complements high-profile endorsements from prominent progressive figures like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders.
Poll Shows Young Jewish Americans Support Zohran Mamdani by Wide Margin
Multiple polls reveal a striking generational divide among Jewish voters in New York City regarding mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Recent surveys consistently show stronger support for Mamdani among younger Jewish New Yorkers compared to their older counterparts.
A July Zenith Research poll demonstrated this generational gap clearly, with 67% of Jewish voters aged 18-44 backing Mamdani. The same poll showed Mamdani enjoying a 17-point lead among Jewish voters overall.
Nevertheless, polling data varies considerably. A Fox News survey from October found Mamdani trailing slightly among Jewish voters, with 38% supporting him versus 42% for independent candidate Andrew Cuomo. Yet another July poll by GQR Research showed Mamdani leading with Jewish New Yorkers by 12 percentage points.
The division appears largely along denominational and age lines. Orthodox Jewish voters backed former governor Cuomo by an overwhelming 8-to-1 margin. Conversely, secular and Reform Jewish communities split their votes among several candidates.
These numbers reflect broader trends in Jewish political attitudes. As Phylisa Wisdom, executive director of New York Jewish Agenda, noted: “There are some Jewish New Yorkers for whom total agreement on Israel is required… And there are many Jewish New Yorkers who acknowledge that they don’t agree with him on Israel, and that’s not a barrier”.
Despite a Forward-sponsored survey showing 75% of Jewish voters hold an unfavorable view of Mamdani, his consistent strength among younger Jewish voters remains noteworthy.
Progressive Jewish Groups Mobilize for Mamdani
Progressive Jewish organizations have emerged as critical grassroots engines behind Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign. Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), with its 6,000 members, has spearheaded extensive outreach efforts throughout New York’s diverse Jewish communities. Their electoral arm, The Jewish Vote, has backed Mamdani consistently since his first state assembly run in 2020.
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Action, a day-one endorser of Mamdani, alongside JFREJ, has orchestrated door-to-door canvassing campaigns targeting Jewish neighborhoods. Consequently, these groups report contacting tens of thousands of Jewish New Yorkers, with JFREJ’s political director noting they “routinely see 50% or higher Mamdani support” during their outreach.
The relationship between progressive Jewish activists and Mamdani extends beyond electoral politics. Alicia Singham Goodwin, JFREJ’s political director, has personally been arrested at protests alongside Mamdani—something she described as giving her “faith in his commitments”.
Furthermore, Bend the Arc made its first-ever mayoral endorsement for Mamdani, with the organization’s leadership emphasizing that “the greatest threats to Jewish safety in the U.S. are Trump and the MAGA movement” rather than Mamdani’s positions on Israel.
Notably, these organizations have created visible community moments of support. At an annual fundraiser called “the Mazals,” attendees wore “Jews for Zohran” T-shirts amid a celebration that erupted “at every mention of an arms embargo on Israel, a free Palestine, and Zohran Mamdani”.
How Mamdani Navigates Israel Controversy While Building Trust
Facing scrutiny over his stance on Israel, Mamdani has engaged in a delicate balancing act to build trust with Jewish voters. At a closed-door meeting at Congregation Beth Elohim, Rabbi Rachel Timoner expressed fears that Mamdani’s positions might embolden those who wish to harm Jews. In response, he assured attendees of his commitment to protecting the Jewish community and clarified that views on Israel would not be a litmus test for serving in his administration.
Initially hesitant to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” Mamdani eventually stated he would “discourage” its use. Likewise, after initially refusing to answer whether Hamas should disarm during a Fox News interview, he later affirmed that “of course” Hamas should disarm.
Mamdani has explicitly said Zionists would be welcome in his administration, a position that has ironically led some pro-Palestinian voices to criticize him. When asked about Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, he responds by stating he “would not recognize any state’s right to exist with a system of hierarchy based on race or religion”.
Beyond rhetoric, Mamdani has committed to a substantial increase in anti-hate crime programming. As Phylisa Wisdom of New York Jewish Agenda noted, there is no “single Jewish feeling about this candidate”.