From Fundraising Triumphs to Bench Press Fails: Zohran Mamdani’s Unconventional Path to City Hall

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is having a moment in New York City’s mayoral race—one that’s equal parts impressive and entertaining. The 33-year-old candidate has dominated recent headlines not just for his commanding fundraising lead and polling numbers, but also for his creative campaign stunts and, perhaps less admirably, his inability to bench press 135 pounds.

The most significant development in Mamdani’s campaign has been his fundraising prowess. According to The Hill, Mamdani raised just over $1 million between July 12 and August 18, significantly outpacing his high-profile competitors. His grassroots approach—with an average donor contributing $121—stands in stark contrast to former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s $541,301 raised with an average contribution of $646, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams’ $425,181 with donors averaging $770.

What makes Mamdani’s fundraising particularly notable is its democratic nature: The Hill reports that contributions came from an almost equal split of in-state and out-of-state donors, suggesting his message is resonating beyond New York’s borders.

This financial success has translated into electoral momentum. Early August polling shows Mamdani leading the five-person field by double digits, with a Sienna College poll putting him ahead by almost 20 points and Decision Desk HQ projecting a 13-point lead over Cuomo.

Early August polling shows Mamdani leading the five-person field by double digits, with a Sienna College poll putting him ahead by almost 20 points and Decision Desk HQ projecting a 13-point lead over Cuomo.

Chips, Cash, and Campaign Theater

Mamdani has shown a knack for seizing on his opponents’ missteps with theatrical flair. When news broke that Adams adviser Winnie Greco had handed a reporter a bag of potato chips containing cash—an incident that led to Greco’s suspension from the campaign—Mamdani saw an opportunity.

As reported by the Daily News, Mamdani released a video of himself eating potato chips while announcing a Sunday scavenger hunt across the city, clarifying with a wink that the prize would be “not a wad of cash.” The stunt drew a sharp rebuke from Adams, who accused Mamdani of treating serious issues like “kid’s play.”

The chip bag incident itself highlights the challenges facing Adams’ reelection bid. According to The City’s reporting, Greco pressed a bag containing a $100 bill and several $20 bills into a reporter’s hands after a campaign event, later explaining it as a “culture thing” when the reporter declined the cash.

Perhaps the most humanizing moment in Mamdani’s recent campaign came during Brooklyn’s annual Men’s Day event, where his political strength didn’t translate to physical prowess. The New York Post reported that the mayoral frontrunner struggled to complete even a single unassisted bench press rep with what was described as a 135-pound barbell.

Photos captured Mamdani receiving full assistance from a member of “500 Men Making a Difference” for his two attempts. Rather than letting the moment become a source of embarrassment, Mamdani gracefully gave credit to his spotter and moved on to showcase his soccer skills—a nod to his Ugandan birth.

“It is such a pleasure to be here, and I want to say thank you to the organizers for celebrating what makes this community beautiful,” Mamdani told the crowd, concluding with confidence: “I look forward to being your next mayor, next year.”

Behind the campaign theater lies a substantive policy agenda that appears to be connecting with voters. The Hill notes that Mamdani’s proposals for a rent freeze, city-run grocery stores, and free childcare have earned him recognition as a “champion” of working-class voters.

If successful, Mamdani would become New York City’s second democratic socialist mayor, following a political tradition that has deep roots in the city’s history while offering a distinctly progressive vision for its future.

As the campaign enters its final stretch, Mamdani finds himself in an enviable position: leading in both fundraising and polls while maintaining the kind of authentic, sometimes self-deprecating presence that can be rare in high-stakes political campaigns. Whether his combination of progressive policies, grassroots organizing, and willingness to poke fun at both opponents and himself can carry him to victory remains to be seen.

What’s clear is that in a city known for larger-than-life political personalities, Zohran Mamdani is writing his own playbook—one that includes million-dollar fundraising quarters, creative campaign stunts, and the occasional reminder that political strength doesn’t always translate to the weight room.