In a major political upset, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani declared victory Tuesday night in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who conceded after early results showed Mamdani with a commanding lead.
Though final results are pending due to the city’s ranked-choice voting system, Mamdani surged ahead in first-choice ballots and secured a strong share of second-choice rankings, positioning himself as the clear front-runner.
“I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City,” said Mamdani, 33, to cheering supporters in Central Brooklyn. “And I will be the mayor for every New Yorker — whether you voted for me, for Governor Cuomo, or didn’t vote at all.”
Cuomo, once seen as the race’s front-runner, conceded in a reserved speech Tuesday night, acknowledging Mamdani’s lead and offering his congratulations. “Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won,” Cuomo said.
Mamdani’s primary win marks a dramatic shift in New York City’s political landscape. A democratic socialist and first-term state legislator, he ran a grassroots campaign built on promises of economic justice, affordable housing, expanded public services, and bold climate action. If elected in November, he would become New York City’s first Muslim and first Indian American mayor.
Mayor Eric Adams, the incumbent, did not participate in the Democratic primary and is instead running for re-election as an independent. He will face Mamdani and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, in the general election.
Cuomo’s campaign, which aimed to restore his political career following his 2021 resignation amid sexual harassment allegations, focused on law-and-order messaging and drew support from labor unions, political insiders, and well-funded super PACs. Despite this, Mamdani’s campaign struck a chord with younger voters and progressives.
Backed by national figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, Mamdani championed proposals such as free citywide buses, universal child care, higher minimum wages, and taxing the wealthy to fund public programs. His campaign energized thousands of young volunteers and generated significant momentum on social media.
“It’s 100 degrees outside and it’s a vibe,” said Amani Kojo, a 23-year-old volunteer handing out iced tea at a campaign event. “New York City feels alive again.”
Throughout the campaign, Mamdani faced criticism over his foreign policy views, particularly his support for Palestinian rights. But he countered by pointing to Cuomo’s record, including unresolved questions surrounding nursing home deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic and sexual misconduct allegations that led to his resignation.
Though Cuomo has conceded the primary, he hinted at a possible run in the general election. “We are going to take a look and make some decisions,” he told supporters.
Mamdani’s rise underscores a growing appetite among urban voters for progressive, forward-looking leadership and signals a potential shift in Democratic priorities as the party recalibrates in a political era shaped by President Donald Trump’s second term.
His unlikely victory not only disrupts establishment politics but also sends a strong message: New York’s future, for many voters, lies in bold ideas—not political comebacks.
