Andrew Cuomo’s political career took a significant hit on Tuesday when he lost to a young socialist candidate in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary. Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Assemblyman from Queens, received about 44% of the votes, while Cuomo, who stepped down as governor in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, came in second with around 36%.
Cuomo acknowledged Mamdani’s victory, stating, “Tonight was not our night. Tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani’s night.” The former governor did not clarify whether he would still appear on the ballot for the Fight And Deliver Party, which he created for this election.
In third place, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a progressive figure, garnered about 11% of the votes. Current Mayor Eric Adams opted out of the primary, running as an independent, but humorously mentioned he voted for himself five times.
Mamdani’s early lead surprised many, as polls leading up to the election showed a tight race between him and Cuomo. An Emerson College poll had Cuomo slightly ahead, but Mamdani’s strong showing in early voting helped him pull ahead. New York City employs ranked choice voting, which means voters can rank their preferences. If no candidate secures more than 50% of first-choice votes, the process involves eliminating the least popular candidates and redistributing their votes, which could take time.
The election marks a turning point in a competitive primary featuring 11 candidates. Official results are expected in about a week. Regardless of the final outcome, Cuomo, Mamdani, and Adams will all be on the ballot in November against Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Jim Walden.
Cuomo’s past controversies have made him a target for his more progressive opponents. Mamdani, who ran on a platform that includes freezing rent and creating city-run grocery stores, received endorsements from prominent progressive figures like Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In contrast, Cuomo had support from high-profile Democrats such as Bill Clinton and Michael Bloomberg.
Throughout the campaign, Mamdani emphasized his socialist ideals, promising to make school lunches, city buses, and childcare free. He also proposed a new “Department of Community Safety” aimed at preventing violence, which critics argue is a move to defund the police.
The primary race has been intense, with various candidates presenting bold and sometimes controversial proposals. For instance, Lander suggested turning municipal golf courses into housing to address the city’s housing crisis, while other candidates proposed alternative responses to police calls.
In a related election, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg easily won his Democratic nomination, continuing his focus on high-profile cases, including those involving former President Donald Trump.
As the primary results unfold, the dynamics of New York City politics are shifting, with new voices like Mamdani rising to prominence in a landscape once dominated by figures like Cuomo.