Overview:
In a stunning political upset, Zohran Mamdani — a young, energetic assemblyman and proud Democratic Socialist — claimed victory over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary. Once a long-shot candidate, Mamdani surged with a bold platform focused on housing, transit, and childcare. While Cuomo’s comeback bid faltered, Mamdani now heads into a high-stakes general election against incumbent mayor Eric Adams and Republican challenger Curtis Sliwa. If elected, Mamdani would become NYC’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest since 1917 — a generational shift signaling new momentum for progressive politics in America’s largest city.
NEW YORK –
Zohran Mamdani declared victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday. This stunned the former governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo.
Mamdani was mostly unknown when he decided to enter the race last fall. He built himself up through a Democratic-Socialist platform and a unique, energetic style. Mamdani, 33, despite not having Cuomo’s experience, was able to sway voters’ opinions.
“My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it,” Mamdani said on X. “I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.”
While the results are not final, both Mamdani declared victory and conceded. Cuomo’s path to being mayor is not over. Incumbent mayor Eric Adams skipped the primaries by running as an independent candidate in the general election. Cuomo has that option as well.
“We are going to take a look and make some decisions,” Cuomo said.
Cuomo was the front-runner throughout most of the race. He resigned as governor in 2021 after allegations of sexual harassment, with this race acting as his comeback bid.
It appears his comeback has come just short.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991. He moved to Cape Town, South Africa, when he was five before eventually settling in New York when he was seven. His father is a professor at Columbia. Additionally, his mother is a filmmaker. Mamdani is a Muslim and if elected, would be the first Muslim mayor of New York City.
He has been a member of the New York State Assembly since 2021. He was the primary sponsor for 20 bills, three of which became law.
As of June, he was the only state legislator in the mayoral race to not miss a session in Albany.
Mamdani didn’t sway candidates with his political experience, but with his energy and passion for politics. Mamdani is very active on social media and has just about 300k followers on X.
Explanation:
He posted himself running into the water in Coney Island. He has also posted videos of himself interacting with Republican voters and having conversations with them.
If Mamdani wins the general election, he would be the mayor at only 34 years old. He’d be the youngest mayor in New York City since John Purroy Mitchel in 1917.
A focal viewpoint of Mamdani’s campaign was freezing rent in many apartment buildings. The housing crisis in NYC is a major issue, with thousands sleeping in shelters or on the streets. Mamdani also promised free buses and free childcare for every New Yorker aged six weeks to five years.
This new infrastructure will be paid for through a proposed increase in taxes for corporations. Additionally, taxes would increase for New Yorkers earning over $1M annually.
His campaign, while radical, proved to be popular with Democratic voters.
“Do we move forward with the same policies of the past and the same politicians of the past?” Mamdani said on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “Or do we move forward with a new generation of leadership? One that is actually willing to serve the people.”
General Election
Mamdani is taking on the incumbent mayor, Eric Adams, to be the next mayor of New York City.
Adams faced charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of wire fraud. His case was dismissed by a judge in New York, but it still wildly affected his popularity.
As of March 2025, Adams reached an all-time low approval rating of 20%. Moreover, 56% of voters said he should resign, according to Quinnipiac University.
Despite his charges just months ago, the race is expecting to be heavily contested. This is in a city where Democratic voters outnumber Republican voters eight to one.
“We deserve a mayor who will keep driving down crime, support our police, fight antisemitism, and stand up for working-class New Yorkers,” Adams said on X. “It’s time to unite. It’s time to fight. We have a city to save.”
Controversy:
Despite the controversy surrounding Adams, the result of the race is unknown because of the other candidates.
In addition to Adams, who is running as an Independent instead of a Democrat, Cuomo is expected by many to reclassify as an Independent and run in the general election. Curtis Sliwa is the Republican candidate who will run against Mamdani.
Voters who put Mamdani as their first choice in the ranked choice voting system could change their vote. They may select one of the other candidates at play.
Regardless of who ultimately becomes the mayor of NYC, Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic Primary is a win for progressives.
More at Presence News:
