Zohran Mamdani Leads NYC Mayoral Primary Over Cuomo

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state lawmaker and self-described democratic socialist, is on track to win New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, leading former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a major political upset.

With 95% of ballot scanners reporting, Mamdani holds a strong lead of 43.5% to Cuomo’s 36.4%, according to the NYC Board of Elections. The final result will be confirmed next week under New York’s ranked-choice voting system, but Mamdani’s lead appears too large for Cuomo to overcome.

Cuomo Concedes, Congratulates Mamdani

Cuomo, 67, who had been trying to make a political comeback four years after resigning amid sexual harassment allegations, conceded the race on Tuesday night.

“Tonight is his night,” Cuomo said in a brief speech, confirming he had called Mamdani to offer congratulations.

A New Face for NYC Politics

Mamdani, born in Uganda to a family of Indian descent, would be the first Muslim mayor of New York City. Known for his progressive views and pro-Palestinian activism, Mamdani gained support from prominent progressives including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

He currently represents a district in Queens and entered the race as a virtual unknown but quickly gained traction among voters seeking change. Many younger and diverse voters supported his vision of a new direction for the Democratic Party.

Ranked-Choice Voting Boosts Mamdani

City Comptroller Brad Lander, who placed third with 11.6%, had encouraged his supporters to rank Mamdani as their second choice. This could further widen Mamdani’s lead once ranked-choice votes are fully counted.

Lander himself made national headlines last week when he was briefly detained at an immigration court while assisting a defendant.

Political Landscape Shifts

This primary is being seen as a sign of where the Democratic Party may be heading during Republican President Donald Trump’s second term. Cuomo ran as a moderate with support from political heavyweights like Bill Clinton and Michael Bloomberg. Mamdani, meanwhile, promised bold change and broke with establishment politics.

The general election is set for November. With Democrats dominating in NYC, Mamdani is expected to be the frontrunner. Current mayor Eric Adams, weakened by scandals and ties to Trump, is running as an independent. The Republican candidate is Curtis Sliwa, who lost to Adams in 2021.

Mamdani Celebrates Victory

On X (formerly Twitter), Mamdani posted: “My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it. I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City.”

His historic and unexpected rise marks a new chapter in the city’s politics, one that reflects shifting priorities and growing support for progressive leadership.