Mamdani Surges, AOC Drags, And The Right Can’t Cope

October 29, 2025 Meena Jalloh

A new poll puts Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani ahead in the NYC mayoral race, while AOC schools Riley Gaines—and the right wing loses it.

Featured image by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Whew, a lot has happened in the past 48 hours: Zohran Mamdani is miles ahead in NYC’s mayoral race, according to recent polling data, and AOC is clapping back at failed swimmer turned right-wing talking head, Riley Gaines.

According to new polling from the Manhattan Institute, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani is on track to win the New York City mayoralty, “drawing 46% [of likely voters] to former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 31% and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa’s 21%, once undecided voters are factored out.”

In short: even with a split opposition, Mamdani’s grassroots momentum may be enough to clinch victory—marking a potential first since 1969 for a candidate to win without a majority. Analysts note that higher youth turnout could push him past the 50% threshold entirely.

As Mamdani’s rise continues, conservatives are rattled. Gaines — who’s made a post-athletic career out of fearmongering about trans athletes — tweeted, “We’re being destroyed from within,” alongside a photo of Mamdani, AOC, and fellow progressive Bernie Sanders at a recent rally.

AOC responded with her signature precision and shade: “Maybe if you channeled all this anger into swimming faster you wouldn’t have come in fifth.”

Gaines reacted by going on a Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham and proceeded to embark on an unhinged rant about AOC, stating the congresswoman can “defend socialism,” while Gaines will “defend capitalism” and “a biblical worldview.” She even claimed Democrats “defend child sacrifice.” Gaines went on to “challenge” AOC to a debate, despite finishing fifth in her own sport and blaming the presence of trans swimmer Lia Thomas for her loss—while conveniently ignoring the cisgender women who placed ahead of her.

AOC did not seem bothered.