Zohran Mamdani Declares Victory in New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary, Defeating Andrew Cuomo in Historic Upset

State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani emerged as the frontrunner in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday, securing a commanding lead in the first round of ranked-choice voting and prompting former Governor Andrew Cuomo to concede in a stunning upset. With 92.8% of votes counted, Mamdani garnered 44% of first-choice votes, outpacing Cuomo’s 36% and City Comptroller Brad Lander’s 11%, according to the New York City Board of Elections. The official winner will be confirmed after ranked-choice tabulations, set to begin July 1, but Mamdani’s early dominance signals a transformative shift in the city’s political landscape.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist representing Queens’ Astoria and Long Island City, campaigned on bold affordability measures, including a rent freeze on stabilized units, free city buses, universal childcare, city-owned grocery stores, and 200,000 new affordable housing units. His grassroots campaign, fueled by endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Working Families Party, resonated with younger voters and communities of color, particularly in Queens’ Flushing and Corona neighborhoods. “Tonight, we made history,” Mamdani declared at his Long Island City election night rally. “New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford, where every worker can thrive, not just survive.”
Cuomo, who sought a political comeback four years after resigning as governor amid sexual harassment allegations, conceded shortly after polls closed, acknowledging Mamdani’s “highly impactful campaign” that “touched young people and inspired them.” Despite endorsements from former President Bill Clinton, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Representative Jim Clyburn, Cuomo’s campaign struggled against a progressive “Don’t Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor” movement and voter skepticism over his past scandals. He hinted at a possible independent run in November, having qualified for a “Fight and Deliver” ballot line, stating, “I will consult with colleagues on the best path to help the City of New York.”
The primary, the second to use ranked-choice voting since its adoption in 2019, saw no candidate reach the 50% threshold required for an outright win. Mamdani’s lead, bolstered by cross-endorsements with Lander and former Assemblyman Michael Blake, positions him favorably for the ranked-choice process, where lower-ranked candidates’ votes are redistributed. Lander, who placed third, celebrated the progressive coalition’s strength, saying, “Together, we are sending Andrew Cuomo back to the suburbs!”
The race drew national attention as a bellwether for the Democratic Party’s direction during President Donald Trump’s second term. Mamdani’s platform, which includes rejecting “Trump’s fascism” and protecting communities from federal immigration enforcement, contrasts sharply with incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after federal corruption charges were dismissed in April 2025. Adams, with 4.1% of first-choice votes, faces an uphill battle in the November general election against Mamdani, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, and potential independent candidates.
If elected, Mamdani would become New York City’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor and its youngest in over a century. His campaign faced scrutiny over comments on Israel, including defending the phrase “globalize the intifada” as a call for Palestinian equality, though he denounced hate crimes and advocated for increased anti-hate funding. Despite controversies, his focus on economic justice and multigenerational, multiethnic coalition-building propelled his victory.