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LAST UPDATE | 25 Jun 2025
ZOHRAN MAMDANI HAS dealt a stunning blow to Andrew Cuomo, winning New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary in a major political upset.
Mamdani, a state assemblyman representing Queens, declared victory last night after securing a commanding lead in the first round of voting, though the final result may take days due to the city’s ranked-choice voting system.
With over 93% of first-choice ballots counted, Mamdani held 43.5% of the vote, while Cuomo trailed with 36.4%.
Given the progressive candidate’s cross-endorsement with third-place finisher Brad Lander, many expect him to secure the nomination after the redistribution of second-choice votes.
“Tonight, we made history,” Mamdani told a jubilant crowd of supporters at a rooftop event in Queens.
“We have won because New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford. A city where they can do more than just struggle.”
The upset has reverberated across the political landscape, with many interpreting Mamdani’s apparent victory as a rebuke to the Democratic establishment and a signal that the party’s base is shifting leftward amid Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.
Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid a sexual harassment scandal, had been widely expected to dominate the race due to his name recognition, moderate platform, and extensive fundraising network.
He conceded the race on Tuesday evening, telling supporters: “Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won.”
Despite the concession, Cuomo left open the possibility of continuing his campaign in November as an independent.
“I want to look at the numbers and ranked-choice results before making a final decision,” he told The New York Times.
Born in Uganda to Indian parents and raised in New York from the age of seven, Mamdani ran a high-energy, digitally savvy campaign focused on the city’s affordability crisis.
His platform included proposals to freeze rent in regulated units, introduce universal childcare, create city-run supermarkets, and make public buses free, all paid for by increased taxes on the wealthy.
Throughout the campaign, Mamdani leaned heavily on grassroots activism and social media, mobilising a large cohort of young volunteers.
He was endorsed by prominent progressive Democrat figures including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders, both of whom celebrated his victory as a win for working-class politics.
The primary contest revealed deep divisions within the Democratic Party.
Cuomo represented the moderate, establishment wing, backed by figures like Bill Clinton and millions in outside spending from centrist and corporate-aligned groups.
Mamdani’s progressive rhetoric and policies – especially his outspoken support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel – alienated some traditional Democrats but energised younger and more diverse voters.
Addressing concerns about his foreign policy stance, Mamdani said: “While I will not abandon my beliefs or my commitments, you have my word to reach further, to understand the perspectives of those with whom I disagree.”
His critics, however, have questioned his lack of executive experience.
Despite his likely victory in the Democratic primary, Mamdani still faces a formidable general election.
Incumbent mayor Eric Adams, who opted out of the primary following corruption charges (later dropped), is running as an independent and remains backed by powerful business interests. Cuomo may also re-enter the race on an independent ticket.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, meanwhile, labelled Mamdani “too extreme for a city already on edge”, and called for a return to “real leadership” over “radical politics”.
Still, Mamdani remains the frontrunner in a city where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly three to one.
With over one million voters casting ballots, the result signals not just a political upset, but a groundswell of energy among New York’s young, diverse, and increasingly progressive electorate.
As Mamdani put it: “Tomorrow is ours, if we want it.”
Additional reporting from AFP
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