Zohran Mamdani Clinches Democratic Nomination in Stunning New York Mayoral Primary Victory
NEW YORK – In a major political upset, 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani has secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, defeating seasoned figures like former Governor Andrew Cuomo and emerging as a powerful new voice in city politics. The New York City Election Board confirmed Mamdani’s victory Tuesday following the final round of ranked-choice voting, where he clinched 56% of the vote—far surpassing the 50% threshold needed to win.
Mamdani, a Uganda-born Muslim and self-described democratic socialist, began his campaign as a little-known state assemblyman. But his grassroots message, focused on housing affordability, economic justice, and restoring trust in public leadership, resonated strongly across the city. In his post-election remarks, Mamdani celebrated the milestone as a mandate for bold change: “We’ve always believed our victory would come after multiple rounds of voting—but seeing we had more support in round one than Eric Adams did after seven rounds in 2021 was astonishing.”
His decisive win over Cuomo—who garnered 44% in the final tally—has electrified progressives and shocked many establishment Democrats. While some party leaders worry that Mamdani’s bold agenda might draw fire from Republicans, Mamdani has vowed to revitalize the Democratic base. “Our goal is to win people back to the Democratic Party,” he said, noting that his campaign made gains even in neighborhoods that backed Trump in 2024.
Mamdani now faces a multi-candidate race in the November general election. His main opponent is incumbent mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after the Justice Department dropped its corruption case against him. He will also contend with Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent candidate Jim Walden.
Despite fierce criticism from conservatives—including President Donald Trump, who called him a “100% Communist Lunatic”—Mamdani has remained undeterred. “They want to distract from what we’re building: a city that works for the many, not the few,” he said.
With ranked-choice voting cementing his place as the Democratic nominee, Mamdani’s campaign is poised to redefine the political landscape of New York City in the months ahead.
