In a political upset shaking the city’s power structure, 33-year-old progressive lawmaker Zohran Mamdani is set to become the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
With nearly 95% of ballot scanners reporting, Mamdani led Cuomo with 43.5% of the vote, compared to Cuomo’s 36.4%. The victory puts Mamdani on track to become the first Muslim mayor in New York City’s history.
Though the final outcome will be confirmed next week under the city’s ranked-choice voting system, Mamdani’s significant lead, combined with endorsements from third-place candidate Brad Lander, makes a Cuomo comeback mathematically unlikely.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born in Uganda to a family of Indian descent and has been an active voice for progressive causes in the U.S. He currently serves in the New York State Assembly representing Queens, and is a self-described democratic socialist. Known for his pro-Palestinian activism, Mamdani has earned the support of key national progressives, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
At just 33, Mamdani has gained a reputation for challenging establishment politics and advocating for housing reform, police accountability, and immigrant rights. His potential election would mark a generational and ideological shift in New York City politics.
Cuomo Concedes: “Tonight is His Night”
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, had launched a comeback bid four years after resigning amid sexual harassment allegations. He conceded on Tuesday night, stating, “Tonight is his night,” and confirmed that he had called Mamdani to congratulate him.
Despite endorsements from political heavyweights like Bill Clinton and Michael Bloomberg, Cuomo’s moderate campaign failed to resonate in a city increasingly leaning progressive.
A Referendum on the Democratic Party’s Future
The mayoral primary became a proxy battle for the Democratic Party’s direction in the Trump-era political climate. Cuomo represented a more traditional, centrist path, while Mamdani offered a bold break from the status quo.
Mamdani’s surge was further fueled by endorsements and ranked-choice strategy, including mutual backing between him and Lander, who had 11.6% of the vote. Lander’s supporters were encouraged to rank Mamdani second — a potentially decisive factor in the ranked-choice rounds to come.
General Election Outlook
Mamdani now enters the general election as the clear front-runner in a heavily Democratic city. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams will appear on the ballot as an independent but has been politically weakened by corruption scandals and alleged ties to Republican President Donald Trump.
The Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa, best known for founding the Guardian Angels, is unlikely to pose a serious challenge after losing to Adams in 2021.
