In a stunning political upset, 33-year-old state lawmaker Zohran Mamdani is poised to win the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, putting him on track to become the city’s first Muslim mayor. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, leads former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo 43.5% to 36.4% with 95% of ballot scanners reporting, according to the city’s Board of Elections, reports Reuters.
Though the final outcome awaits the full count under New York’s ranked-choice voting system, Mamdani’s lead appears insurmountable. Third-place finisher City Comptroller Brad Lander, who earned 11.6% of the vote, had publicly urged his supporters to list Mamdani as their second choice—an advantage likely to expand Mamdani's margin in the coming rounds of vote redistribution.
Cuomo, 67, conceded Tuesday evening, saying he had called Mamdani to offer his congratulations. The former governor, once a dominant figure in New York politics, was seeking a comeback four years after resigning amid multiple sexual harassment allegations. Though Cuomo denied wrongdoing, calling his actions misinterpreted gestures of humor or affection, the allegations dogged his campaign.
Mamdani, who represents Queens in the New York State Assembly, entered the race with little name recognition but gained traction through grassroots organizing and endorsements from national progressives such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Born in Uganda to a family of Indian descent, Mamdani has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights and broader progressive causes.
“This campaign was about changing who our politics serves,” Mamdani said to cheering supporters Tuesday night. “New York deserves a city government that stands with working people, not the powerful.”
The mayoral race became a litmus test for the direction of the Democratic Party during Republican President Donald Trump’s second term. Cuomo, backed by party establishment figures including Bill Clinton and Michael Bloomberg, represented a moderate legacy approach, while Mamdani’s campaign promised a clean break from political tradition.
For many voters, Mamdani’s candidacy symbolized generational change. “It’s time for someone young, a person of color—something different,” said Ignacio Tambunting, a 28-year-old Manhattan voter. In Queens, where Mamdani resides, 39-year-old voter Leah Johanson echoed that sentiment, adding she refused to vote for Cuomo due to the allegations against him. “No. God, no,” she said. “I’m not gonna vote for a man who is credibly accused of molesting women.”
Current Mayor Eric Adams, embroiled in corruption scandals and criticized for perceived ties to Trump, is running as an independent. The Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, a radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels crime patrol group, is unlikely to pose a serious challenge in a city where Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans.
With Mamdani’s momentum and support from a younger, more diverse electorate, the November general election could cement a historic shift in New York City’s leadership.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
