Zohran Mamdani Wins NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary in Stunning Upset Over Andrew Cuomo

On June 24, 2025, Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state lawmaker, achieved a historic victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. This surprising win positions Mamdani as a frontrunner to become NYC’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor.

Who is Zohran Mamdani?

Zohran Mamdani is a young, progressive politician born in Uganda to a family of Indian descent. He moved to New York City at age seven and has served as a state assemblyman in Queens. Known for his democratic socialist views, Mamdani has gained attention for his bold ideas to make NYC more affordable. His campaign focused on issues like free public buses, universal childcare, rent freezes for subsidized units, and city-run grocery stores. These plans aim to help working-class New Yorkers struggling with the city’s high cost of living.

Mamdani’s background also includes a connection to filmmaker Mira Nair, his mother, which has added some public interest to his campaign. His pro-Palestinian activism and criticism of Israel have sparked debates, but his focus on affordability resonated with many voters.

A Shocking Victory Over Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo, a 67-year-old former New York governor, was a well-known figure with strong support from establishment Democrats, including endorsements from former President Bill Clinton and former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. However, his campaign faced challenges due to past sexual harassment allegations, which led to his resignation as governor in 2021. Despite his experience and name recognition, Cuomo conceded the primary to Mamdani on June 24, 2025, saying, “Tonight is his night.”

Preliminary results showed Mamdani leading with 43.5% of first-choice votes compared to Cuomo’s 36.4%, with 95% of ballot scanners reporting. The race used New York City’s ranked-choice voting system, which allows voters to rank up to five candidates. Although the final results won’t be confirmed until mid-July due to ranked-choice tabulation, Mamdani’s lead is strong, especially with support from third-place finisher Brad Lander, who encouraged his voters to rank Mamdani second.

Why This Win Matters for the NYC Mayoral Election

The 2025 NYC mayoral election is a key moment for the Democratic Party, especially as it navigates its strategy during President Donald Trump’s second term. Mamdani’s victory signals a shift toward progressive, younger leadership. His campaign, backed by figures like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, energized young voters, people of color, and first-time voters.

Mamdani’s focus on affordability struck a chord in a city where one in four residents lives in poverty. His promise to fight for a “city where hard work is repaid with a stable life” inspired many, including 28-year-old voter Ignacio Tambunting, who called Mamdani “something different” for NYC.

What is Ranked-Choice Voting?

New York City uses a ranked-choice voting system for its primaries. Voters can rank up to five candidates in order of preference. If no candidate gets over 50% of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to the voters’ second choices. This process continues until one candidate has a majority. Mamdani’s cross-endorsement with Brad Lander, who earned 11.6% of first-choice votes, likely boosted his lead in later rounds.

What’s Next for the 2025 NYC Mayoral Election?

Mamdani is now the Democratic nominee and a strong favorite to win the general election on November 4, 2025, in a city where Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans. He will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent after corruption scandals, and Curtis Sliwa, the Republican nominee and founder of the Guardian Angels. Cuomo has hinted at possibly running as an independent, but Mamdani’s momentum makes him the one to watch.

Mamdani’s win is seen as a “political earthquake” for the Democratic Party, showing a demand for bold, progressive change. Political strategist Trip Yang called it the “biggest upset in modern NYC history,” highlighting Mamdani’s ability to inspire voters with enthusiasm and courage.

Mamdani’s Vision for New York City

Mamdani’s campaign promises include:

• Free public buses: To make transportation affordable for all.
• Universal childcare: To support working families.
• Rent freezes: For over one million rent-stabilized apartments.
• City-run grocery stores: To address food insecurity and high prices.
• Taxing the wealthy: To fund these programs with a 2% tax on top earners.

These ideas aim to tackle NYC’s affordability crisis, where 500,000 children go to bed hungry each night. Mamdani’s social media-savvy campaign, including videos in Urdu and Spanish, helped him connect with diverse communities, especially South Asian and Latino voters in Queens.

Challenges Ahead

While Mamdani’s victory is historic, he faces challenges. Critics, including some in the Democratic establishment, argue his plans are too idealistic and costly. Governor Kathy Hochul and others have questioned whether his agenda, like free buses, will gain approval in Albany. Additionally, his pro-Palestinian stance has drawn criticism from some Jewish leaders, which could impact the general election.

Despite these hurdles, Mamdani’s grassroots campaign, with over 50,000 volunteers, shows his ability to mobilize support. His win reflects a desire for new leadership in a city tired of scandal-plagued politicians like Cuomo and Adams.