Zohran Mamdani, a Ugandan-born, 33-year-old progressive lawmaker, clinched a historic victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a stunning political upset. Mamdani, a democratic socialist and State Assembly member since 2021, gained momentum with a grassroots campaign focused on housing affordability, wage justice, and opposition to corporate influence in city politics. His campaign also drew attention for his outspoken criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza and unwavering support for Palestinian rights—stances that resonated with younger and left-leaning voters.
“Tonight we made history,” Mamdani told a cheering crowd of supporters in Queens. “In the words of Nelson Mandela, it always seems impossible until it is done. My friends, we have done it.” The primary laid bare the Democratic Party’s deep ideological divide. Cuomo, once considered a political heavyweight and longtime centrist, was attempting a political comeback after resigning in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations. Despite leading early in the race, Cuomo failed to energize voters, particularly younger progressives.
“Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won,” Cuomo conceded in a brief speech to supporters. If elected in November, Mamdani would become New York’s first Muslim and first Indian American mayor. He now faces incumbent Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after clashing with the Democratic establishment, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. The general election in November is expected to test the city’s appetite for progressive reform amid growing concerns about public safety, economic inequality, and housing costs.
Mamdani, often compared to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is seen as a rising star in the left wing of the Democratic Party and a symbol of the city’s shifting political landscape.
