Zohran Mamdani, a progressive state assemblyman and first-time citywide candidate, declared victory Tuesday night in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, dealing a stunning upset to former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo conceded shortly after early results showed Mamdani holding a commanding lead, virtually eliminating any path to victory through the city's ranked choice voting system.
Mamdani, 33, ran as a democratic socialist with a campaign focused squarely on the city’s affordability crisis. His message resonated with a wide swath of voters, particularly younger and working-class New Yorkers, despite his limited experience in city government. Speaking to supporters Tuesday evening, Mamdani proclaimed, “I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City,” adding that he intended to govern on behalf of all residents, regardless of their vote.
Unofficial results from the city’s Board of Elections showed Mamdani leading Cuomo in both first-choice votes and overall rankings. Cuomo, who was once the presumed front-runner in the race, acknowledged Mamdani’s win, telling supporters, “Tonight is his night. He deserved it.”
The primary represented a clear ideological divide within the Democratic Party. Cuomo’s campaign leaned heavily on his experience, political connections, and tough-on-crime messaging, while Mamdani promoted a vision of expansive public investment—free transit, universal child care, and increased affordable housing, all funded by higher taxes on the wealthy. His platform drew high-profile endorsements from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, aligning him with the party’s left flank.
Mamdani’s team built a wide-reaching grassroots effort. His campaign deployed thousands of canvassers across the five boroughs, focusing on direct voter engagement. Their presence was highly visible across neighborhoods, amplified by a coordinated digital media push that gained traction on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
If elected in November, Mamdani would become New York City’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor. He will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent following a corruption indictment that was later dropped by the Trump Justice Department, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
Cuomo has not ruled out an independent run in the general election, telling reporters Tuesday, “We are going to take a look and make some decisions.” His continued presence in the race could reshape the general election dynamics, potentially splitting votes among center-left and moderate voters.
Mamdani’s critics, including Cuomo, have questioned his readiness to manage the city’s complex bureaucracy. Others have seized on his vocal support for Palestinian rights, a position that has drawn sharp criticism from pro-Israel groups and some Democratic officials. Mamdani, in turn, has accused Cuomo of political hypocrisy, referencing the former governor’s resignation in 2021 following a state investigation that found he had sexually harassed multiple women.