Following what was definitely an interesting election season, and a historic one for the City in the end, Norwood News spoke to different Bronx residents and some candidates to get their take on Election Day, Nov. 4, socialism (again) as a concept, the new Mayor-elect, Democratic Socialist and Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (A.D. 36), and the as-yet, unconfirmed Election Day results.

 

Wolve Gardiner from Mt. Hope said, “My thoughts on this current election [are] that I’m actually pleased that Mr. Zohran Mamdani won the election. We need a change in New York City, and we need to start being more positive, and ensure that the current systemic changes will be made for the betterment and fairness of our communities.”

 

He added, “I think socialism is a system that’s set in place and that is something that needs to be addressed, but at the same time, look at equality for the people, and not prioritize capitalism and the corporations. I’m for the Socialist Party.”

Sharing his reaction to social media blowing up with declarations that a win by Mamdani would be the end of New York City, Gardiner said, “Even though I’m not too well versed in that vein, I believe that God Almighty has a final say in everything like that.”

 

He added, “I also believe it depends on the temperament and the temperature of the people and how they behave, and how God puts certain things in place to exercise authority in our nation.”

 

Meanwhile, David from Pelham Parkway said, “I don’t trust any politicians. It doesn’t matter. Democrats or Republicans, it’s the same side of the coin. They are just an instrument to fool the people, to keep us in this trap of an economic rat race. They don’t encourage self-sufficiency. They want us to be dependent on them and when we do depend on them, they take away whatever it is that we get from them.”

 

David continued, “It’s not just SNAP, it’s everything. They do it with energy, letting the natural environment fall to waste. We can’t grow our own food. They don’t even support that.” Asked if he voted, he said, “No, I don’t vote. Why vote? Tell me, give me a good reason why I should vote. You think these people’s vote counts?”

He added, “I think, in the big picture, we should stay a democratic country, but as far as neighborhoods and communities are concerned, yes, we should have some socialism practices that keep us well knitted, that will ensure that we look out for each other, like growing food and sharing resources and things like that. I think he [Mamdani] is projecting to have more power than he’ll actually have. I think that all politicians actually do that. They make these claims, and they make these promises that they can’t really follow through on.”

 

For his part, Kendell Rodwell from Morris Heights said, “The jury is still out. I didn’t vote. No, it’s because I’ve never voted. Socialism? You mean Muslim? Yeah, I wouldn’t have voted Muslim. If I had voted, I probably wouldn’t have voted for him. Give the Jews a chance. Look how long it’s been since the Holocaust. Online, they’re pushing it’s the end of New York. No, no, no! That can’t happen. Everybody has their eyes on him [Mamdani] now. Everybody’s going to be watching him.”

 

On the topic of [unfounded] rumors circulating online that Mamdani would introduce Sharia law to New York City, Rodwell said, “I think that if there was a plan like that to bring Sharia law to New York the City Council wouldn’t go with that.

 

Brenda Torres from Brooklyn, told Norwood News, “I am disappointed and concerned with Andrew Cuomo losing the mayoral race. I hoped he would win and get New York City back on its feet, as he did for the State when he was governor. New York City is in trouble. The mayor-elect has changed his points of view so many times, no one knows the truth on where he stands.”

Mamdani had said as a younger person that he was in favor of defunding the police, for example, but later said his opinion had changed on that. He also said that although he, himself, never used the phrase “Globalize the Intifada,” during election season, he has not denounced it but has encouraged its disuse.

 

Torres added, “Did he change them [his points of view] just to get votes and now, he will do what he wants? Only time will tell. With Andrew Coumo, we knew his positions, and he stood by them. He wanted what was best and fair for its [New York’s] people. It’s a shame we’ll never know what could have been.”

 

We also spoke to Kevin Johnson from Parkchester, who said, “In principle, I support socialism. I believe that there should be no kings, rulers, dukes or earls over the people, allowing everyone to have an equal share of the earth. As for the election, I can honestly say that I didn’t vote for any of the three major candidates for mayor in last week’s New York City mayoral election.”

 

Republican Party mayoral nominee, Curtis Sliwa, who won around 6.63% of the vote in the general election, later said of his campaign, “Thank  you to everyone who stood with me. I’m so proud of everyone who worked so hard these past months. We went up against billionaires, the political elite, and the full weight of the establishment, and we did it together. This city belongs to all of us. We love it, we live it, and we will protect it side by side.”

He continued, “No one can buy our spirit or break our unity. When we stand together, New York stands strong. We will not move. We will not be forced out. We will improve this city no matter what we face. We will not let our police be defunded. We will not let the homeless be left to suffer on our streets. We will clean this city. We will fight together until the end, because our city is worth fighting for. Thank you for believing in me and in each other.”

 

We also spoke with Conservative Party mayoral nominee, Irene Estrada, a Pelham Parkway resident who previously ran for City Council in District 13, as reported, and who won around 0.13% of the vote in this year’s mayoral general election. Asked about the experience of running for mayor, she said, “Running for mayor of New York was an eye-opening experience that revealed who truly holds power over our democracy. The media, controlled by the wealthy, turned the election into a modern-day version of the Hunger Games, betting on candidates as if they were racehorses.”

 

We understood that Estrada was referring to media coverage of her candidacy. To participate in televised debates, for example, certain candidates need to demonstrate that they have a minimum level of support.

 

She continued, “As the only woman on the ballot, and a proud Latina, I witnessed firsthand the discrimination and inequality that still exists in politics. Issues that truly matter to New Yorkers were ignored. But through it all, I refused to surrender. I love this city deeply and stood firm. Head high, heels on, and competing against the “big boys” and their mega-donors.”

Estrada, and others, participated in New York City’s “matching funds” program run by the NYC Campaign Finance Board, a program that offers candidates access to public monies (tax payer dollars) to help with the running of their campaigns based on proof of minimum local voter support for their respective candidacies (in the form of donations). Mamdani received over $13 million in public funds. Estrada did not receive any as she did not meet the criteria. For more on this topic, click here.

 

Estrada added, “My campaign was never about raising money; it was about raising hope. While others courted power, I stood with the people. Big donors open doors to corruption, and this is not how democracy should be. I am proud to have run an honest campaign, grounded in faith, community, and integrity. My hope is that the new mayor will truly serve the people of New York City and keep his promises.”

 

She continued, “The people have spoken, and now he must deliver. I know that may not always be possible, but those who are disappointed should stand up, take action, and hold leadership accountable. As a clergy member, I have worked alongside many past mayors, and I will continue to do the same with Mayor Zohran. I believe in collaboration and prayer for our city. We have strong leaders in every borough ready to defend New York and ensure that no community is left behind.”

 

She said that she also prayed that the “spirit of entitlement and division” fades away and that New Yorkers return to a city built on faith, hard work, and unity. “New York City belongs to all of us,” she said, before offering special thanks to her NYPD-employed daughters, Sgt. Erica Bukowiecki and retired NYPD Det. Daisy Gonzalez; and her grandchildren, NYPD-employed Brandon Pagan, NYPD-employed Amber Jackson Gonzalez, Austin Gonzalez, and her son-in-law, Buck.

She added, “To all the women of the NYPD Policewoman’s Endowment Association, as your spiritual advisor, I will continue to pray for you and fight alongside you. Go conquer the world and leave your heel marks everywhere. To my family and friends and supporters, thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing by me. It was an honor to be your candidate for Mayor of New York City. I may not have won the election, but I won something greater, the hearts of many New Yorkers.”

 

She concluded, “I am victorious because I never quit. Thank you to the Conservative Party for believing in me and to Pat McManus for your support. I will continue to fight the good fight because with God, all things are possible. From a little girl from Texas, to a woman living in The Bronx who ran for Mayor of New York City, this is proof that dreams have no limits. May it inspire every little girl to know: you can do it too!”

 

Click here for more of our election coverage.