NYC mayor's race: Mayoral candidates Mamdani, Cuomo talk crime as shootings spike in Bronx
The finish line in the race for New York City mayor is inching closer as Election Day is just two months out.
A rash of violent incidents in the Bronx and the violence that followed Monday's New York Carnival Parade have put the spotlight on crime and safety.
Both Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo have similar philosophies in reducing crime, but while Cuomo wants to hire more officers, Mamdani says there are enough officers to do the job.
It comes as Mamdani received a big endorsement Tuesday from Bronx Democrats. He is hoping to succeed where he failed in the primary -- winning a majority of votes in the Bronx.
"I have heard time and time again of how this affordability crisis that has left this city as the most expensive in the United States of America, that that crisis is felt with the most intensity right here. That's right, in the Bronx," Mamdani said. "It is a crisis where the effects of poverty and of negligence and City Hall's failures are felt most keenly."
Mamdani was joined in the shadow of Yankee Stadium by several of his fellow state lawmakers, who urged their fellow Democrats to fall in line behind their nominee.
"There's no democracy without dissent, in my opinion. There is nothing wrong with a little difference. But when we come together for what matters, that is what will make this city continue to rise to what its power can be," said Bronx Democratic chairman and state Sen. Jamaal Bailey.
The Bronx is the only borough in New York where a majority of voters did not vote for Mamdani.
In fact, 52% of the vote went to Cuomo, who continued to insist that Mamdani would not be tough enough when it comes to public safety.
"Job number one is keeping New Yorkers safe," Cuomo said. "He is a danger to New Yorkers. He is dangerous, and he is reckless because of his inexperience and his political philosophy."
Among those endorsing Mamdani is state Attorney General Letitia James.
"Assemblymember Mamdani will use every tool in his toolkit to address the issue of gun violence, because this community, and particularly in the borough of the Bronx, representing Black and Latinos and other individuals who care about gun violence, it impacts us the most," James said.
It all comes the same day that Independent candidate Jim Walden has ended his campaign in the race for mayor.
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