(With the input of agencies)
New York: Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and Queens assemblyman, has pulled off one of the most stunning political upsets in New York City history, toppling former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for mayor. With nearly all precincts reporting, Mamdani emerged as the frontrunner with 44% of the first-choice votes in the city’s ranked-choice voting system, while Cuomo trailed with 36%, and City Comptroller Brad Lander captured 11%.
The concession came quickly. Less than two hours after the polls closed, Cuomo took the stage at the Carpenters Union Hall in Manhattan, appearing unexpectedly with his daughters and son-in-law by his side. “Tonight was not our night,” he told his supporters. “Assemblyman Mamdani ran a smart and good and impactful campaign. He deserved it. He won.” Despite leaving the door open for a general election run on an independent line, the former governor’s tone suggested the end of a campaign that many saw as an attempted political resurrection.
Mamdani, who would be New York City's first Muslim and South Asian mayor, declared victory just after midnight to roaring cheers from a packed rooftop party at a Long Island City brewery. “Tonight, we made history,” he said. “Eight months ago, we began with a vision for a city every New Yorker could afford — and tonight, we showed that vision has power.” Quoting Nelson Mandela, Mamdani added, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
The result was seismic. Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amid multiple sexual harassment allegations, had entered the race in March with unmatched name recognition, a $25 million super PAC, and the backing of powerful unions and centrist Democrats, including Bill Clinton. Initially seen as the prohibitive favorite, Cuomo emphasized experience and stability, portraying Mamdani as dangerously inexperienced. But voters seemed eager for something new — and many saw Cuomo’s campaign as an unrepentant return from disgrace.
Mamdani's victory wasn't just a rejection of Cuomo but also a broader indictment of the Democratic establishment. From brownstone Brooklyn to immigrant-heavy Queens, voters rallied behind Mamdani’s ambitious and unapologetically progressive platform. He called for free city buses, universal child care, rent freezes on rent-stabilized units, and taxing the city’s wealthiest residents to pay for it all. While his platform drew criticism from the right, it electrified younger voters and those disillusioned with the status quo.
The primary became a proving ground for generational and ideological shifts within the Democratic Party. Mamdani, who began the race with low name recognition, quickly surged in polls in the weeks leading up to the primary. His rise was buoyed by endorsements from major progressive figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, and by the Working Families Party, which urged voters to rank Mamdani first.
His campaign embraced modern tactics and connected directly with voters through grassroots organizing and savvy use of social media. Videos of Mamdani plunging into the icy waters of Coney Island or listening to Bronx residents who supported Trump went viral. He energized voters across race, age, and class, forming a novel coalition that stretched from Park Slope and Cobble Hill to the immigrant communities of Woodside and Richmond Hill.
In contrast, Cuomo’s campaign felt out-of-touch. He focused on tightly controlled media appearances and stressed his competence amid what he called a city in crisis. But his attempts to paint Mamdani as a radical failed to stick, especially as younger voters and progressives looked for bold, values-driven leadership. Cuomo’s baggage from past scandals and his perceived arrogance seemed to alienate more voters than it reassured.
Brad Lander’s cross-endorsement of Mamdani also played a critical role. Many voters who supported Lander ranked Mamdani as their second choice, strengthening his advantage in the final ranked-choice tally, which will be officially completed by July 1. Though Mamdani has not yet crossed the 50% threshold required for an outright win, Cuomo’s concession suggests the final rounds will only cement the outcome.
The November general election is now shaping up to be a volatile three-way race. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams declined to run in the Democratic primary and will instead appear on the ballot under independent lines like EndAntiSemitism and Safe&Affordable. Cuomo, though qualified to run on his own independent line, has not confirmed whether he will proceed. Adams, whose approval ratings have plummeted amid federal corruption charges and unpopular policies, is preparing to relaunch his campaign this week.
Adams’ allies believe he may still consolidate support from older Black voters and conservative-leaning Orthodox Jewish communities, especially given Mamdani’s critical stance on Israel — a position that has both galvanized progressives and alienated some traditional Democrats. Still, Adams faces a steep uphill battle, especially after his widely criticized effort to persuade the Trump administration to drop charges against him.
As Mamdani looks ahead to the general election, his message of partnership and inclusivity remains central. “I will be the mayor for every New Yorker — whether you voted for me, voted for Governor Cuomo, or stayed home because the system has let you down,” he told supporters. “We are building a city that works for everyone.”
What began as an improbable campaign by a little-known assemblyman has now upended New York’s political establishment and captured the imagination of progressives nationwide. Whether Mamdani can carry this momentum through November remains to be seen, but his rise has already reshaped the city’s political landscape and provided a blueprint for a new kind of Democratic leadership in America’s largest city.
