A Jewish student at Columbia University has voiced concerns about New York City Democratic Socialist and leading mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, stating that a Mamdani victory would be unsettling for Jewish students at Columbia and throughout the city.
TJ Katz, a sophomore at Columbia University, shared his thoughts with Fox News Digital on how Mamdani’s potential leadership in New York City could impact the university and other educational institutions. Katz expressed his worries, stating, “For my own beliefs and my own safety on campus, it’s scary. I don’t think he’ll suddenly change course as mayor and make me feel threatened for who I am.”
Mamdani, a practicing Twelver Shia Muslim born in Uganda, emerged victorious in a surprise Democratic primary election in June, defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo among other candidates. In the upcoming November election, Cuomo, now running as an independent, and current Mayor Eric Adams will compete against Mamdani.
As Mamdani gains momentum in the mayoral race, concerns have been raised about his attitude towards the Jewish community. Katz described Mamdani’s stance as “definitely worrisome,” particularly in a city with a significant Jewish population.
Amidst these developments, Jewish students nationwide and young Jewish voters have increasingly aligned with the Republican Party, especially as candidates like Mamdani receive endorsements from prominent Democratic figures like Elizabeth Warren. This shift in political allegiance among Jewish voters has been noticeable, with President Donald Trump seeing a surge in Jewish support during the 2024 election.
The Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC) recently hosted a national convention in Washington DC, drawing a large gathering of young pro-Israel voters. The event highlighted concerns about campus safety for Jewish students, with a senior advisor to the ICC noting a growing trend towards pro-Israel and conservative beliefs among students.
Katz echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of feeling safe and supported as a Jewish student on campus. He emphasized the need for political leaders to prioritize the safety and well-being of Jewish individuals, indicating that this could influence how Jewish voters cast their ballots.
Fox News Digital attempted to reach out to Mamdani for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Preston Mizell, a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news, can be contacted at Preston.Mizell@fox.com.
