In the ever-evolving saga of New York City politics, the upcoming mayoral election is gripping enough to make a Broadway drama feel like a lullaby. On one side, there’s Zohra Mamdani, the so-called Democrat Socialist who’s apparently leading the charge with promises of free goodies that sound like they came straight out of a fairy tale. Free buses, free groceries, and frozen rent—who needs a budget when you have dreams, right? And all these grand plans, conveniently sidestepping the technicalities that the mayor doesn’t actually control these things. Reality, we’d like you to meet Mr. Mamdani’s campaign.

Meanwhile, Andrew Cuomo, making a comeback after a hiatus that had tabloids running out of synonyms for “disgraced,” is hot on Mamdani’s heels. The man knows a thing or two about politics—as he should, given his previous tenure as governor. His strategy is old school: reminding people that life isn’t Monopoly, and the city can’t just hand out “Free Parking” money without it costing someone down the line. He’s telling folks that safety isn’t a wish you make upon a star but something that needs 5,000 new cops and the cooperation of federal and state governments.

Then there’s Curtis Sliwa, lingering third in the polls by what feels like a mile. He’s led the Guardian Angels for years, but governing a metropolis isn’t really in the same playbook as parading around in a red beret. Sliwa’s critics, including Mr. Trump himself, suggest he’s not quite ready for the main stage of city governance—yet Sliwa seems to be holding on tighter than a New Yorker clutching a morning coffee on the subway. His candidacy seems more like a spoiler alert than a real plot twist, potentially splitting votes in a way that might just slide New York into Mamdani’s fantastical future.

What truly makes this political drama riveting are the unexpected alliances. Cuomo discusses cooperation with President Trump like it’s just another item on his to-do list—filed somewhere between world peace and finding a decent bagel outside the city. The former governor believes he can work with Trump for the sake of the Big Apple, focusing on common good rather than party politics. It’s a refreshing take and one that might just convince those in the middle that Cuomo’s got the pragmatic chops to navigate the city’s playful but dangerous political tides.

This election is yet another episode in the ongoing saga of New York’s love-hate relationship with its leaders. While Mamdani paints a picture of utopia that could charm the most jaded New Yorker, Cuomo is banking on the fact that his more grounded promises hold the real value. As for Sliwa, it seems he’s the wildcard that Mamdani himself didn’t choose, but one that might just give the old guard a run for its incumbent money. As the votes roll in, one thing is certain: New York City will keep everyone guessing until the final curtain call.