Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has won the race for the Democratic nomination in New York City's mayoral primary.
Mamdani declared victory on Tuesday night after Andrew Cuomo, who is trying to make a comeback after a sexual harassment scandal, conceded the race.
The 33-year-old newcomer had run on a promise to lower the cost of living for working-class New Yorkers.
Highlights
- Zohran Mamdani won NYC's Democratic mayoral primary after Andrew Cuomo conceded, making him the presumptive nominee.
- Mamdani promises to lower living costs through rent freezes, building 200,000 units, and scrapping fares for city buses.
- He plans to fund initiatives by raising corporate taxes and taxing incomes over $1 million at a flat rate.
- If elected, Mamdani will become NYC's first Muslim and Indian American mayor.
Zohran Mamdani declared victory after Andrew Cuomo conceded
Image credits: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Some of his proposed plans include rent freezes for people in applicable buildings, building 200,000 new units in the next decade, and making city buses free to use.
While the plans are costly, Mamdani claims they can be funded by increasing the corporate tax rate and having a flat tax for those earning more than $1 million per year.
Although the full result depends on ranked-choice transfers, Cuomo’s concession means Mamdani is effectively the presumptive Democratic nominee.
In the first-choice vote count, Mamdani led with around 44%, while Cuomo was behind with 36%, and Comptroller Brad Lander had secured 11%, according to figures from the AP.
Image credits: Alex Kent/Getty Images
So far, around 93% of the vote has been counted.
Speaking after Cuomo conceded, Mamdani told supporters: “I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City.”
“I will be the mayor for every New Yorker, whether you voted for me, for Governor Cuomo, or felt too disillusioned by a long-broken political system to vote at all,” he added.
Image credits: Zohran Mamdani
“I will work to be a mayor you will be proud to call your own.”
If Mamdani wins the election in November, he will become New York City’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor.
Cuomo told his supporters he had called Mamdani to congratulate him and said he had decisions to make.
“Tonight is his night,” Cuomo said. “He deserved it. He won.”
Senior progressive Democrats had backed Mamdani in the race
Image credits: BernieSanders
“We are going to take a look and make some decisions,” he added.
Current Mayor Eric Adams is running as an independent candidate in the general election after the Trump administration ordered prosecutors to drop charges against him, according to the BBC.
Adams had been charged with conspiracy, fraud, soliciting illegal campaign contributions, and bribery.
Cuomo could also decide to run as an independent candidate following his defeat in the primary.
Cuomo could also decide to run as an independent candidate following his defeat in the primary.
“In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done,” Mamdani said in a statement on X.
Image credits: Zohran Mamdani
“My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it.
“I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.”
He was endorsed and congratulated by senior progressive Democrats, including Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani and his thousands of grassroots supporters for their extraordinary campaign,” Sanders wrote on X.
“You took on the political, economic, and media Establishment- and you beat them. Now it’s on to victory in the general election.”
Image credits: AOC
“Congratulations, @ZohranKMamdani,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement.
“Your dedication to an affordable, welcoming, and safe New York City where working families can have a shot has inspired people across the city.
“Billionaires and lobbyists poured millions against you and our public finance system. And you won.”