In the 2025 New York City mayoral race, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani has proposed decriminalizing prostitution as part of his platform to create a safer and more affordable city. Mamdani has faced sharp criticism from incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who questioned how Mamdani's stance aligns with his Islamic faith, stating, "I don’t know where in his Quran it states that it’s OK for a woman to be on the streets selling her body." The debate has drawn religious considerations into the political discourse. Mamdani responded by highlighting that Adams had cut $3 million from relevant funding. Meanwhile, Mamdani's campaign has attracted substantial financial support, including a $250,000 donation to his super PAC from the daughter of a billionaire hedge fund founder. This financial backing contrasts with criticism of other Democrats, such as Texas Democrat James Talarico, who has publicly opposed billionaire influence in politics but accepted funds from a Republican megadonor-backed PAC. Mamdani's platform also includes socialist-style policies like rent freezes and city-run stores, which have gained traction among NYC voters.