Even if Mr. Mamdani is as awful as his opponents insist, campaigning against an opponent’s flaws works only if you don’t seem even worse.

“The Hamptons is basically in group therapy about the mayoral race.”

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Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, has nearly four times more campaign funds than Andrew M. Cuomo, thought to be his closest rival.

© Victor J. Blue for The New York Times

A report by the nonpartisan Citizens Budget Commission comes at a time when income inequality and affordability have been the most prominent themes in the race for New York City mayor.

© Ashley Gilbertson for The New York Times

A Times investigation found that Beijing’s consulate in Manhattan had mobilized community groups to defeat certain candidates.