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NEW YORK CITY – With increasing backing from progressives and young voters, democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is on the verge of becoming the first Muslim mayor of the largest city in the U.S.
The Associated Press had not declared a winner in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary as of Tuesday night, but former Governor Andrew Cuomo acknowledged Mamdani’s success by saying he “won” during an election night event.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assembly member from Queens originally from Uganda, outperformed Cuomo and nine other contenders in a packed primary that utilized ranked-choice voting. He is positioned as the frontrunner for the November general election in this predominantly blue city.
“This night belonged to Assemblyman Mamdani; he ran an outstanding campaign,” Cuomo remarked. “He engaged and inspired young voters, encouraging them to participate. His campaign was significantly impactful. I congratulated him and sincerely commend his efforts.”
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Zohran Mamdani, a New York State Assemblyman and democratic socialist mayoral candidate for New York City, won the Democratic Party primary on June 24, 2025, against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. (Bing Guan/Reuters)
Cuomo further stated that Mamdani ran “a clever and effective campaign. Tonight is rightfully his. He earned it.”
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As the early voting results began to come in, showing Mamdani in the lead, Cuomo informed his supporters that discussions on how to support both the Democratic Party and New York City would follow.
“Now I will review all the incoming data, particularly concerning ranked-choice voting, and assess what it indicates,” Cuomo continued.
A campaign aide for Cuomo indicated that he might consider an independent run in November following his speech.
“I will analyze the data as it becomes available regarding ranked-choice voting. Afterward, I will consult with peers to determine the best course for supporting the City of New York, as I’ve already qualified to run for mayor on an independent ticket in November,” Cuomo stated.
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo acknowledges rival Zohran Mamdani as the winner of the New York City Democratic primary during his speech to supporters on June 24, 2025. (Paul Steinhauser – Fox News)
The likely Democratic nominee collaborated with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander to unify support against Cuomo in the ranked-choice voting system. Mamdani and Lander campaigned together in the lead-up to the primary.
Their combined vote totals were sufficient to outpace Cuomo as ranked-choice voting rounds commenced, based on the unofficial tally from the Board of Elections on Tuesday night. The Associated Press noted that ranked-choice counting won’t start until July 1, indicating it may take a while to finalize the results.
Mamdani’s platform includes initiatives such as eliminating transportation fares for New York City’s extensive bus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) tuition-free, freezing rents for municipal housing, and offering “free childcare” for children under five. His recent support surged after endorsements from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is well-known in the progressive arena.
The backing of these prominent progressive leaders helped consolidate support for Mamdani among left-leaning voters.
Initially lagging in public opinion polls, Mamdani made significant progress in recent months, rising to second place in the race as he closed the gap with Cuomo.
Former New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks to union supporters on the eve of the primary election, June 23, 2025. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Cuomo’s campaign, in the final weeks before the primary, criticized Mamdani as a “dangerously inexperienced legislator,” while emphasizing that he has “managed a state and addressed crises, including COVID and Trump.”
“Becoming the mayor of New York City equates to leading one of the world’s largest corporations. This is not a role suitable for a beginner,” Cuomo expressed the day before the primary. “We need someone ready from day one because the wellbeing of residents relies on it.”
Cuomo and his campaign also criticized Mamdani for his controversial position on Israel, suggesting it bordered on antisemitism.
“We oppose calls to globalize the intifada and incite violence against Jewish individuals. We denounce those who idolize Hamas militants, who aim to harm Jewish people,” Cuomo stated, targeting Mamdani just before the primary.
Democratic mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani debate while Whitney Tilson moderates during an event on June 4, 2025, in New York. (Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo)
However, these attacks seemed insufficient to deter New York City voters.
Mamdani is set to move forward to the general election in November, where he will compete against Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels crime prevention organization. Sliwa is once again the Republican nominee for mayor.
Joining the race in November is incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, a moderate Democrat elected in 2021, who is now seeking reelection as an independent after dropping his Democratic primary bid due to declining approval ratings.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, originally elected in 2021 as a Democrat, is campaigning for reelection this year as an independent candidate. (NYC Mayor’s Office)
Adams’ poll numbers were struggling even before he faced five counts of bribery and fraud accusations in a purported bribe scheme involving foreign officials.
The mayor sought to maintain relations with Trump, while the Justice Department dismissed the corruption allegations earlier this year, suggesting Adams might collaborate with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement.
