- Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Indian-American Muslim Zohran Mamdani could soon rewrite political history, as a shocking poll shows him edging ahead of Andrew Cuomo in New York’s gubernatorial race. His progressive, anti-status quo campaign has drawn support from Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Indian-American Muslim and New York State Assembly member, is on the verge of making history as he leads the Democratic primary race for New York City mayor.
According to a new Emerson College poll, Mamdani has leapfrogged past former Governor Andrew Cuomo, securing 52 per cent of the vote in a ranked-choice simulation compared to Cuomo’s 48 per cent. This marks a dramatic turnaround for Mamdani, who had trailed Cuomo by 30 points just months ago.
If elected, Mamdani would become both the first South Asian and the first Muslim to serve as mayor of New York City. His campaign has resonated with younger and progressive voters, positioning him as the anti-status quo alternative and a self-described “progressive Muslim immigrant” who vows to be “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare”.
Today we make history together. pic.twitter.com/MWkapuTix0
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) June 24, 2025
Progressive Platform and Grassroots Appeal
Mamdani’s campaign is built on a progressive platform focused on making New York City more affordable and equitable for working-class residents. His key proposals include:
Mamdani’s grassroots movement has knocked on over a million doors across NYC, mobilizing a multilingual and multicultural coalition of supporters. His advocacy for economic populism, affordable housing, and public transit has helped him unite progressive voters and gain traction among Latino and working-class communities.
High-Profile Endorsements Fuel Momentum
Mamdani’s campaign has attracted endorsements from prominent progressive leaders. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have both thrown their support behind him, citing his commitment to grassroots organizing and working-class issues. Ocasio-Cortez praised Mamdani’s ability to build coalitions and urged voters to “turn the page” on establishment politics by rejecting Cuomo.
These endorsements, along with cross-endorsements from other Democratic candidates like Brad Lander and Michael Blake, have boosted Mamdani’s visibility and credibility in the final stretch of the campaign.
How Ranked Choice Voting Works
The NYC Democratic mayoral primary uses a ranked choice voting system, allowing voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives over 50 per cent of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and those votes are redistributed to the next preference on each ballot. This process continues in rounds until only two candidates remain, with the one holding the majority declared the winner.
In the latest poll simulation, Mamdani overcame an initial deficit to Cuomo by gaining second- and third-choice votes as lower-ranked candidates were eliminated, ultimately winning the final round.
The Road Ahead: A Changing Political Landscape
The winner of the Democratic primary will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in the November general election. Mamdani’s surge reflects a broader appetite for change among New York City voters, particularly those seeking bold solutions to affordability and inequality.
As the city heads into the primary, Mamdani’s campaign stands as a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and the growing influence of progressive politics in America’s largest city. If victorious, Zohran Mamdani would not only make history but could also signal a new direction for New York City’s future
