New York might be about to do the unthinkable.

The financial capital of the world, its soaring skylines a monument to the US’ economic might, could be heading down the road to electing a 33-year-old socialist.

Zohran Mamdani has seen his poll ratings surge ahead of next week’s primary election to select the Democrat candidate who, in all likelihood, will find themselves the Big Apple’s next mayor.

Not so long ago, Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor, looked unassailable in his quest to claim the mayoral nomination, armed with the name, money and a long – if chequered – history of government experience.

Now some surveys have him being edged out by Mr Mandani, who, if elected, would be catapulted from obscurity onto the national stage as one of the country’s leading Left-wing figures.

With a string of endorsements from New York powerbrokers and a Left-wing platform he claims will cut costs for citizens by taxing the super-rich, he has managed to break through in what has otherwise been an uninspiring race.

But his criticisms of Israel are likely to hurt him among the city’s sizeable Jewish population, and it’s unclear whether he can break through the ceiling that traditionally hems in socialist candidates.

Most polls still give Mr Cuomo, which was toppled as New York governor in 2021 by allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied, the edge in the contest.

But it will be far too close for comfort for the 67-year-old, the scion of a New York political dynasty who is desperate for a return to office after years in the political wilderness.

Polling by the Manhattan Institute, released on Tuesday, shows Mr Cuomo would win the 10th round of voting against his closest rival, taking 56 per cent to Mr Mamdani’s 44 per cent.