WEB DESK: What began as a quirky campaign gimmick over the weekend in New York City a scavenger hunt organised by Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, quickly turned into both a viral sensation and fresh fodder for his political opponents.
The hunt kicked off Sunday morning with clues posted online, sending New Yorkers racing from Tammany Hall in Manhattan to Astoria’s Little Flower Café in Queens. At each of the seven stops, participants deciphered hints tied to mayoral history, referencing figures like John Lindsay and Fiorello La Guardia. By mid-afternoon, the Mamdani campaign said thousands had joined in, with the 500 official participant cards snapped up in under 15 minutes. Social-media videos showed lines stretching around blocks, and Mamdani’s announcement post racked up over 20 million views.
At the final stop, supporters posed for photos with the candidate. “Politics isn’t something you have, it’s something you do,” Mamdani told reporters. “What we saw today was thousands of New Yorkers showing their love for this city, and for each other.”
Trump admin threatens Mamdani’s citizenship as he secures NYC Mayor nomination
Participants echoed the sentiment. “It’s actually fun, and no other politician does this,” said Kavi Pandia, who joined with friends. Cyclist Dove Williams, who completed the route first, won a bag of Herr’s sour cream and onion chips, a tongue-in-cheek nod to a recent Adams staffer scandal.
But Mamdani’s rivals pounced. Mayor Eric Adams blasted the hunt as frivolous, likening it to Squid Game and insisting “working families trying to make rent” weren’t playing along. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo mocked the event as unserious, while Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa quipped, “While Mamdani plays scavenger hunt, New Yorkers are scavenging for safety.”
What has New York declared about prolific rat population?
The jabs didn’t stop there: Adams and Cuomo also resurfaced video of Mamdani struggling with a bench press at a community event. Adams declared, “The weight of the job is too heavy for ‘Mamscrawny,’” while Cuomo added, “This guy can’t bench his body weight, let alone carry the city.”
Despite the barbs, polls suggest Mamdani remains comfortably ahead with about 42 percent support, trailed by Cuomo, Sliwa, and Adams. With Election Day looming, the scavenger hunt may prove less a distraction than a reminder that Mamdani has something his rivals envy: thousands of energised New Yorkers willing to show up for the game.