25.06.2025 06:56

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old progressive state assemblyman, has declared victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. His triumph came swiftly after former Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded the race late Tuesday night. This win defied pre-election polling predictions, showcasing Mamdani's surprising strength at the ballot box. A seven-point lead in the initial ranked-choice voting count solidified his claim.


With a substantial 92% of the votes tallied, Mamdani secured a commanding 43.5% of first-choice votes, according to the Associated Press. Cuomo trailed significantly behind with 36.4%, while city Comptroller Brad Lander, a Mamdani cross-endorsee, came in third, garnering 11% of the vote. Mamdani's decisive lead in the initial count effectively secured his victory, even before the final ranked-choice calculations were completed.


Shortly after midnight on Wednesday, Mamdani addressed jubilant supporters, confidently proclaiming himself the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City. In a gracious concession speech, Cuomo acknowledged defeat, stating simply that "tonight was not our night," and generously conceding that Mamdani "deserved it… He won."


The final results, however, remain pending due to the complexities of the ranked-choice voting system. Because no candidate achieved an outright majority of over 50% in the first round, the city’s Board of Elections will need several days to complete the count. This system allows voters to rank up to five candidates, with lower-ranked votes being redistributed once their top choice is eliminated. This iterative process continues until a candidate surpasses the 50% threshold. The cross-endorsement between Mamdani and Lander likely played a significant role in boosting their combined vote share. The final outcome, therefore, is expected within a few days.