STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Despite gloomy skies and rain, a group of dedicated Zohran Mamdani campaign workers was not deterred by the impending coastal storm as they gathered on the steps behind Staten Island Borough Hall on Saturday.

Yesenia Mata, executive director of La Colmena, joined with other community leaders to bring together a diverse group of Staten Islanders for a “Day of Action” as they began canvassing voters in support of Mamdani’s bid to win the New York City mayoral election.

Mata said she was pleased by the turnout. “I feel that it shows where Staten Island is heading. It’s showing a movement that’s happening. Today was a perfect example of the diverse communities that came together and are ready for change.

“We really, truly believe that if he wins, it’s going to be a huge success, not just for certain communities, but for all Staten Islanders,” Mata added.

The group was joined by Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes, who represents Brooklyn’s 51st District, which encompasses Sunset Park.

Mitaynes, the first Peruvian American to be elected to the State Assembly, made the journey from Brooklyn by train and the Staten Island Ferry.

In her remarks to the volunteers she positioned the mayor as a figure who could also wield influence on state-level issues, asserting that, if mayor, Mamdani could pressure the governor and become a powerful ally for state legislators with similar goals.

“One of the great things that the state legislature could do is have a powerful ally in our mayor who’s going to use his bully pulpit to help push this governor to implement the things that are really going to make changes,” Mitaynes said.

“Most importantly, Zohran can’t just win; he has to have a huge victory to be able to show that we very much want to take a different path. We are immigrants, we are working class, and New York City is our home, and we will stand up and defend it,” added Mitaynes.

Justin Wood from St. George attended because, he said, “I just think it’s exciting that we can elect a mayor and local government that just want to make our lives better.

“Whether it’s improving transportation, building more affordable housing, or grocery stores that are affordable, I think these things make a big difference in New Yorkers’ lives, and I’m just excited to make it happen,” Wood explained.

Niamh Alarton, a student at the College of Staten Island, attended the event to fulfill an assignment for her photography class, learn more about the campaign and help with canvassing for the first time.

Alarton said, “Zohran’s bringing his campaign to Staten Island is nice to see because that’s not something I feel like I would see very often, or that Staten Island gets considered in the mayoral election.“

Mayoral race heats up on Staten Island

“What I’m hearing in the news is that Mamdani is leading four of the five boroughs. We know that there are Democrats here, so this is our opportunity to really show what Staten Island can do,” Mitaynes said.

She was likely referring to a Quinnipiac poll released Thursday that shows Mamdani leads with 46% of likely voters backing him, Cuomo with 33% and Sliwa with 15%.

The poll’s breakdown shows that Staten Island is the only borough where the majority of respondents did not support the front-runner, with 40% choosing Cuomo, 34% Sliwa and 21% Mamdani.

As the race nears its end, and with only the three candidates left standing, campaigning has turned up in recent weeks on Staten Island.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has visited the borough at least weekly since mid-September, receiving endorsements, giving remarks at the First Central Baptist Church and, on Friday, popping into the Corporate Commons 3 building on South Avenue.

Cuomo is running as an independent candidate, now the only one left following the suspension of Mayor Eric Adams’ campaign.

Republican Curtis Sliwa has been a frequent presence on Staten Island throughout the campaign, visiting for a variety of events, including this past weekend’s Italian Festival on the Mount.

Last week Sliwa held a traffic-related press conference with some of the Staten Island Republican elected officials who are supporting his candidacy.

And last weekend Mamdani made the rounds on Staten Island, visiting the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center according to sources, and posting photos on the social media app Bluesky with renowned chef Shaw-nae Dixon during a stop in Clifton.

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