Zohran Mamdani has declared a groundbreaking victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, positioning himself to become the city’s first Muslim mayor.

The 33-year-old democratic socialist pulled off a major upset against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who conceded Tuesday night after Mamdani built a decisive lead.

“Tonight, we made history,” Mamdani told a cheering crowd of supporters. “I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City.”

Socialist Mamdani vs Zionist Cuomo

With 93% of the votes counted, Mamdani held 43.5% of the vote, while Cuomo trailed at 36.4%. New York City’s ranked-choice voting system means final results could take days, but Mamdani is expected to benefit from second-choice preferences, particularly from supporters of progressive Brad Lander, who finished third with 11.4% of the vote. Mamdani and Lander had cross-endorsed each other’s campaigns last week.

Our campaign is centered on an economic agenda to lower costs and make life easier for the working people of our city.

And we can fund our entire agenda by asking the wealthiest New Yorkers and most profitable corporations to pay just a little bit more in taxes. pic.twitter.com/BAJsqRvAaQ
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) April 16, 2025

Cuomo, who was once considered the frontrunner, praised Mamdani’s campaign during his concession speech. “Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won,” Cuomo said, adding that Mamdani had inspired young voters and run an impactful campaign.

Despite conceding, Cuomo indicated to The New York Times that he may still consider running as an independent in the November general election. However, with New York’s solidly Democratic electorate and growing dissatisfaction with incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, Mamdani is now widely seen as the frontrunner.

Mamdani’s victory marks a significant moment for New York’s progressive movement and challenges the Democratic Party establishment.

Mamdani’s Tiktok and offline campaign changed everything

Backed by strong grassroots support, particularly from young voters, his campaign outpaced Cuomo’s more traditional, big-donor-backed effort, which had received endorsements from centrist figures including former President Bill Clinton.

Andrew Cuomo is running for Eric Adams’ second term: the same donors, the same agenda, the same chaos.

But I believe New Yorkers are hungry for a different kind of politics—one that puts working people first. pic.twitter.com/vx7x83yVos
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) March 1, 2025

“Together, we have shown the power of the politics of the future — one of partnership and sincerity,” Mamdani said, celebrating the momentum of his progressive coalition.

If confirmed, Mamdani’s candidacy will likely reshape the 5th November mayoral race and could inspire progressive campaigns across the United States.

Who is Zohran Mamdani?

Zohran Kwame Mamdani is an American politician who has served as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 36th district, based in Queens, since 2021.

Born in Uganda, Mamdani immigrated to the United States as a child and graduated from Bowdoin College in 2014.

Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda. His father is Mahmood Mamdani, an Indian-Ugandan and postcolonial studies professor at Columbia University of Gujarati Muslim descent, and his mother is Mira Nair, an acclaimed Indian-American filmmaker of Punjabi descent.

Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani and his thousands of grassroots supporters for their extraordinary campaign. You took on the political, economic and media Establishment- and you beat them. Now it’s on to victory in the general election.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 25, 2025

Not my victory but 'ours'

Mamdani took the stage after midnight at his Election Night party in Long Island City to thunderous cheers and applause, following other notable speakers including state Attorney General Letitia James and US Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn/Queens).

Mamdani's victory in New York is great news. Reminds me of when Ken Livingstone stood in London as an Independent and defeated New Labour! Heartening for millions who don't live in NY. His enemies will fight back dirty. Cuomo is threatening to stand as an independent.…
— Tariq Ali (@TariqAli_News) June 25, 2025

“Today, eight months after launching this campaign, with a vision of a city that every New Yorker can afford, we have won,” Mamdani told the jubilant crowd gathered at the Greats of Craft brewery. “We have won from Harlem to Bay Ridge…We have won from Maspeth to Chinatown. We have won because New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford.”

Views on Israel and Palestine

During the Democratic primary campaign, Mamdani received several endorsements from prominent progressive politicians, including Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, attracting attention for his outspoken views on Israel and Palestine.

During the first debate of the NYC mayoral primary, candidate Zohran Mamdani was asked by a moderator whether he believes “Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state.”

The question sparked backlash on social media, with many accusing the moderators of applying undue pressure… pic.twitter.com/5qziuUxkdn
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 5, 2025

View on India’s PM Modi

Zohran Mamdani's view on Narendra Modi
[New York City Mayoral Democratic Nominee] pic.twitter.com/Laa5VSwxJQ
— 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒚𝒂🛡 (@catale7a) June 25, 2025