In a dramatic political upset, 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani surged ahead in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, leading former Governor Andrew Cuomo by seven points with 95% of ballots counted. Cuomo, who resigned in disgrace in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations, conceded Tuesday night, telling supporters, “Tonight is his night.” The preliminary results suggest Mamdani—a little-known state legislator at the start of the race—has tapped into a growing appetite for progressive change in the Democratic Party.
Though final results won’t be certified until next week due to New York’s ranked-choice voting system, Mamdani’s lead appears insurmountable. Third-place finisher Brad Lander, the city comptroller, had already urged his backers to rank Mamdani second, further solidifying the progressive’s path to victory. The outcome delivers a sharp rebuke to Cuomo’s attempted comeback and signals a potential generational shift in NYC politics.
The race framed a stark ideological choice: Cuomo, the establishment moderate with decades of experience, versus Mamdani, a young outsider promising radical reforms. With Trump’s chaotic second term galvanizing the left, Mamdani’s success suggests progressive energy is far from spent. His likely November matchup against Republican Curtis Sliwa—and possibly scandal-plagued incumbent Eric Adams—positions him as the favorite in the deep-blue city.
At polling stations across the city, voters echoed a desire for change. “I think it’s time for somebody young, a person of color, something different,” said 28-year-old actor Ignacio Tambunting. Others, like Queens voter Leah Johanson, ruled out Cuomo entirely: “No. God, no… I’m not gonna vote for a man credibly accused of molesting women.” Mamdani’s coalition—fueled by young, diverse, and left-leaning New Yorkers—may now rewrite the city’s political playbook.
