World Desk

Zohran Mamdani has officially won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a surprising upset confirmed by final vote counts released Tuesday.

The Associated Press called the race after the city’s ranked-choice voting results were made public, showing Mamdani ahead of Cuomo by a decisive 12-point margin.

In a statement following the confirmation, Mamdani expressed gratitude for the widespread support, saying: “Last Tuesday, Democrats delivered a clear mandate—for an affordable city, forward-looking politics, and a leader willing to confront growing authoritarianism.”

Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and New York State Assembly member since 2021, entered the race with little name recognition but rapidly built a powerful grassroots campaign. He focused on progressive issues while Cuomo, attempting a political comeback after his 2021 resignation over sexual harassment allegations, struggled to regain public trust.

Although Mamdani had declared victory after election night, he fell just short of the 50% threshold required to avoid redistribution under the ranked-choice voting system. Once second-choice preferences were counted, he secured the win.

He will now face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, independent candidate Jim Walden, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in November’s general election.

Cuomo Considers Next Steps

Despite conceding on primary night, Cuomo has not ruled out continuing his campaign via an independent run. His spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, reacted to Tuesday’s results by stating, “We’re continuing discussions with people across the city as we consider our next move.”

Azzopardi criticized Mamdani’s victory as unrepresentative of most voters, saying: “Extremism, division, and empty promises won’t solve this city’s problems.”

A Bold Campaign With a New Vision

Mamdani’s platform, which included proposals like fare-free buses, universal child care, a rent freeze, and state-run grocery stores funded through taxes on the wealthy, was credited with reshaping the conversation within the Democratic Party. His campaign claims to have offered a new model for progressives amid rising national political uncertainty.

While many establishment Democrats have praised the energy of his campaign, they’ve stopped short of offering full support, partly due to Mamdani’s critiques of policing, his use of the term “genocide” in reference to Israel’s actions in Gaza, and his identification as a democratic socialist—factors seen as politically sensitive.

A Historic Candidacy

Born in Uganda to Indian parents, Mamdani moved to the U.S. at age 7 and became a citizen in 2018. If elected, he would become New York City’s first Muslim mayor, its first mayor of Indian descent, and one of its youngest ever.

Cuomo’s Bid Focused on Experience

Cuomo campaigned on his long political résumé, positioning himself as the steady hand New York needed. He emphasized fighting antisemitism and avoided direct voter engagement, relying instead on his established fundraising network and name recognition. He continued to deny the allegations that ended his governorship, calling them politically motivated.

Republicans See an Opening

Republicans, including Donald Trump, have seized on Mamdani’s rise as a symbol of left-wing extremism. “If I’m a Republican, I want this guy to win,” said Syracuse University political scientist Grant Reeher, noting that Mamdani provides a sharp contrast in upcoming national campaigns.

Trump acknowledged Mamdani’s growing influence, telling reporters, “He still has a race to win—and so far he’s winning.”

Eric Adams Rejoins the Race

Mayor Eric Adams, who withdrew

dismissed federal bribery case, is now running as an independent. He reactivated his campaign shortly after Mamdani’s victory announcement, casting the race as a contrast between working-class experience and “silver spoon” privilege.

Echoing Cuomo’s rhetoric, Adams warned against Mamdani’s agenda, calling it reckless and untested. “This isn’t the time for experiments—we need proven leadership to keep New Yorkers safe,” he told reporters on Tuesday.