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Cuomo Concedes NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary to Mamdani
Charlie Kirk Staff
06/24/2025
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani moved significantly closer to becoming the next mayor of New York City on Tuesday, gaining momentum among younger and progressive voters and emerging as the top choice in the city’s Democratic mayoral primary.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo acknowledged Mamdani’s apparent victory during remarks to supporters on election night. “Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won,” Cuomo said, according to the New York Post. “I called him. I congratulated him. I applaud him sincerely for his effort.”
The 33-year-old Queens assemblyman, originally from Uganda, led a crowded primary field that included Cuomo and nine other candidates. The election was decided using ranked-choice voting. With New York City remaining heavily Democratic, Mamdani is expected to be the frontrunner heading into the November general election.
Cuomo also suggested that he would take time to assess the results. “I want to look at all the numbers, as they come in and this ranked-choice voting and, what the numbers actually say and do,” he said.
Speaking to supporters Tuesday night, Cuomo left open the possibility of continuing his campaign through a third-party or independent run in the general election. A campaign aide confirmed that discussions were underway about next steps.
Mamdani’s campaign gained traction after endorsements from two key national progressive figures: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders. The high-profile backing helped unify left-wing voters behind Mamdani, who had previously polled low but surged to challenge Cuomo directly in the final weeks of the race.
Among his policy proposals, Mamdani has called for eliminating fares on the city’s bus system, making the City University of New York tuition-free, freezing rents on municipal housing, and providing free childcare for children under five.
Despite trailing earlier in the race, Mamdani closed the gap with Cuomo in recent months. Cuomo’s campaign had sharply criticized Mamdani, describing him as a “dangerously inexperienced legislator” and “not a job… for on-the-job training.” On the eve of the primary, Cuomo said, “The mayor of the city of New York is the CEO of one of the largest corporations on the globe. This is not a job for a novice.”
Cuomo also attacked Mamdani for his controversial remarks on Israel. “We are against calls to globalize the intifada, declaring open season on Jewish people. We are against those who would glorify Hamas terrorists, who are destined to kill Jewish people,” Cuomo said Monday.
The criticisms did not appear to sway the Democratic electorate, who backed Mamdani.
In November, Mamdani will face Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, who is running again after his 2021 bid. Also running is incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped out of the Democratic primary earlier this year and is now seeking re-election as an independent. Cuomo may also throw his hat in the ring as an independent, further complicating the race.
Adams, a moderate Democrat first elected in 2021, has seen his approval ratings collapse. He faces continued political fallout after being indicted on bribery and fraud charges tied to alleged dealings with foreign officials. The Department of Justice later dismissed those charges, though Adams has since signaled openness to working with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement.
