In a dramatic political upset, left-wing Democrat and state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, shaking up the political landscape of the nation’s largest city.
Cuomo, 67, who resigned from office in 2021 following a sexual harassment scandal, had been attempting a high-profile political comeback. Despite his national profile and reputation as a moderate and crisis-time leader during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuomo was unable to withstand the grassroots momentum behind Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist.
Mamdani, born in Uganda and raised in New York City, ran on a bold platform promising free public buses, universal childcare, rent freezes in subsidized housing, and city-run grocery stores, all funded through new taxes on the wealthy. His campaign focused on combating poverty, inequality, and corporate influence in local governance.
“This is a city where one in four people live in poverty, where half a million kids go to sleep hungry every night,” Mamdani told supporters. “We need a mayor who will fight for the people, not the powerful.”
While results showed Mamdani in the lead, he did not surpass the 50% threshold required for an outright win under New York’s ranked-choice voting system. Nonetheless, Cuomo conceded on Tuesday night, telling supporters, “Tonight is his night.”
Political strategist Trip Yang called the outcome the “biggest upset in modern NYC history,” noting Mamdani’s victory as a sign that progressive politics are gaining traction in Democratic strongholds, especially under the shadow of a second Donald Trump presidency.
Mamdani’s campaign drew national attention for his unapologetic progressive stance, multilingual outreach, and viral videos challenging Trump voters in NYC. He was endorsed by progressive heavyweights Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, aligning him with the left flank of the Democratic Party.
Cuomo hinted he may still run in the November general election on an independent line, but Mamdani’s performance has already reshaped the race. If elected in November, Mamdani would become New York City’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor signaling a historic shift in the city’s political future
