- Wednesday, June 25, 2025
In a historic upset, progressive Zohran Mamdani declared victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The result positions Mamdani as the frontrunner to become the city’s first Muslim mayor.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and state representative, has declared a historic victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, positioning himself to become the city’s first Muslim mayor. The announcement came Tuesday night (24) after a dramatic upset over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who conceded the race in a move that stunned the political establishment.
The Upset: Cuomo Concedes
Andrew Cuomo, once a heavy favorite in the race, conceded after it became clear that Mamdani had built a substantial lead. With 93 per cent of the votes counted in the first round, Mamdani led with 43.5 per cent while Cuomo trailed at 36.4 per cent. Cuomo, a seasoned politician with deep connections and name recognition, acknowledged Mamdani’s effective grassroots campaign, telling supporters, “Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won.”
Hope is not naive when you have a vision and a movement behind it. Hope is in fact righteous.
This is the dawn of a new era in New York City. And we will win it together. pic.twitter.com/Hj2buYNN8Z
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) June 25, 2025
Ranked-Choice Voting and Coalition Building
New York City’s ranked-choice voting system played a pivotal role in the primary. Since neither Mamdani nor Cuomo is likely to surpass the 50% threshold outright, the Board of Elections will now count voters’ second-choice preferences.
Mamdani is expected to benefit from this process, particularly after cross-endorsing Brad Lander, a progressive candidate who finished third with 11.4 per cent of the vote. In his victory speech, Mamdani thanked Lander and highlighted the power of “the politics of the future: one of partnership and sincerity.”
A New Era for Progressives
Mamdani’s victory is seen as a rebuke to the Democratic establishment and a beacon of hope for progressives nationwide. While Cuomo was backed by wealthy donors and centrist figures, including Bill Clinton, Mamdani’s campaign was powered by a surge of grassroots support, especially among young voters.
His campaign drew endorsements from high-profile progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, and his social media presence far outpaced that of his rivals.
Cuomo, reflecting on the race, praised Mamdani’s ability to “touch young people and inspire them,” noting that the campaign energized voters who might have otherwise stayed home. Despite his loss, Cuomo hinted at a possible independent run in November, telling the New York Times, “I want to analyze and talk to some colleagues.”
Nepalis for Zohran out here in Jackson Heights! 🇳🇵 pic.twitter.com/yNvqgqJrqh
— Sarahana Shrestha (@sarahana) June 24, 2025
The Road Ahead: November Election
Although winning the Democratic primary does not guarantee Mamdani the mayoralty, it makes him the overwhelming favorite in a city where Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans. The incumbent, Eric Adams, who won as a Democrat in 2021 but is running as an independent this year, is deeply unpopular.
Adams faced charges of bribery and accepting foreign campaign contributions last year, though the charges were dropped in April after intervention from the Trump administration.
Campaign Strategies and Voter Turnout
The primary campaign highlighted the contrasting styles of the two frontrunners. Mamdani ran an energetic, issues-focused campaign, promising to freeze rent and make city buses free. He held large rallies, engaged directly with voters, and leveraged social media to amplify his message.
Cuomo, in contrast, avoided large public events, opting for smaller, tightly managed appearances at union offices and similar venues.
His campaign, along with organizations funded by billionaire Republican donors, spent millions on attack ads targeting Mamdani. According to the New York Times, outside spending on Cuomo’s behalf surpassed $25 million—a city record.
Despite the contentious nature of the race, Mamdani struck a unifying tone in his victory speech. “I will be the mayor for every New Yorker, whether you voted for me, for Governor Cuomo, or felt too disillusioned by a long, broken political system to vote at all,” he said.
Historic Turnout and the Future
Voter turnout was historic, with more than 1 million New Yorkers estimated to have cast ballots despite a heatwave that saw temperatures reach 100°F (38°C). Early voting figures more than doubled those from the 2021 primary, reflecting heightened engagement and the high stakes of the race.
As the city awaits the final tally of ranked-choice votes, Mamdani’s victory marks a significant moment for progressive politics in New York and across the country. If elected in November, he will become New York’s 111th mayor and the first Muslim to hold the office, signaling a new era of leadership for America’s largest city.
