Overview

• Zohran Mamdani declared victory in the June 24 Democratic primary after ranked-choice tabulations confirmed he outpolled former governor Andrew Cuomo with about 43% of first-choice votes.
• Running as a self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani campaigned on cost-of-living measures including rent freezes, free public transit and universal childcare financed by higher taxes on the wealthy.
• Progressive figures such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez backed Mamdani’s grassroots bid, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised his win without issuing formal endorsements.
• Some Democrats criticized Mamdani’s calls to defund the police and his pro-Palestinian rhetoric as too extreme, and Republicans have already branded him an “antisemitic socialist radical” to target vulnerable Democratic candidates.
• In November’s general election, Mamdani will face Republican Curtis Sliwa, independent incumbent Eric Adams and possibly Andrew Cuomo in a crowded race that could reshape New York City’s political landscape.