From Zohran for NYC campaign website – Photo credit: Madison Stewar
Progressive Assemblymember Emerges as Frontrunner in November Race for Mayor
NEW YORK, NY — New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani has officially won the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo and reshaping the race ahead of the November general election.
With more than 93% of ballots counted, Mamdani received 43.5% of first-choice votes, according to the New York City Board of Elections. Cuomo, who received 36.4%, formally conceded on June 24, election night. However, multiple news outlets reported late Thursday, June 26, that Cuomo, 67, now intends to remain in the race as an independent candidate under a newly formed “Fight and Deliver” ballot line.
A source close to the former governor confirmed that while he has not yet committed to active campaigning, he has not withdrawn from the race. If his candidacy proceeds, Cuomo could split the moderate vote and complicate the general election calculus for both the Democratic and Republican candidates.
WHO IS ZOHRAN MAMDANI?
Mamdani, a 33-year-old Assemblymember representing District 36 (Astoria, Queens), was born in Kampala, Ugandaand moved to New York City at age 7. He is the son of Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani and award-winning filmmaker Mira Nair. A graduate of Bronx High School of Science and Bowdoin College, he worked as a foreclosure prevention counselor before entering politics.
He became a U.S. citizen in 2018 and won his Assembly seat in 2020. Mamdani is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and has been endorsed by national progressive figures including Senator Bernie Sandersand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
If elected, he would become the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor in New York City’s history.
CAMPAIGN AGENDA
Mamdani’s platform includes:
- Building 200,000 affordable housing units
- Making public buses fare-free
- Creating a universal public childcare system
- Raising the minimum wage to $30/hour by 2030
- Increasing taxes on wealthy individuals and large corporations
His campaign has been driven by grassroots volunteers and small-dollar donations, with strong support from younger voters and renters across Queens, Brooklyn, and Upper Manhattan.
GENERAL ELECTION LANDSCAPE
The general election, scheduled for November 4, 2025, is now shaping into a four-way contest. Mamdani, as the Democratic nominee, will face:
- Eric Adams, the incumbent mayor, running as an independent
- Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee
- Andrew Cuomo, former Democratic governor, now expected to run as an independent on the “Fight and Deliver” line
Mamdani remains the frontrunner due to the city’s strong Democratic base, but the presence of two high-profile independents could lead to a fractured vote and an unpredictable outcome.
For verified election updates and voting information, visit vote.nyc.
