| Photo via Facebook
NEW YORK – In a race that defied the polls, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, born in Kampala, Uganda, and who came to New York at the age of seven, secured a decisive victory over a field of experienced politicians in the Democratic mayoral primary elections on June 24. His victory represents a significant win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party in New York City.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist and State Assemblyman from Queens, preliminary results show him leading with approximately 43.5% of the vote, totaling 425,321 ballots. Andrew Cuomo, the former three-term Governor of New York, who entered the race relatively late, garnered approximately 36.4% of the first-choice votes, or around 361,000 votes.
Brad Lander, the incumbent City Comptroller, a progressive contender, came in third with approximately 11.3% of the first-choice votes.
Other candidates in the crowded field included Scott Stringer, Adrienne Adams, Michael Blake, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, and Whitney Tilson, who split the remaining votes.
The office of Fil-Am Assemblymember Steve Raga (AD 30), in a statement to Philippine Daily Mirror, said Mamdani “earned over 5,800 votes, winning more than 60 percent of the total across our neighborhoods in Woodside, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Maspeth, while being a little under 3,000, and no other candidate broke 500.”
“In Woodside, which has the most Filipino voters in New York City, [they] voted an overwhelming 62% for Mamdani,” the statement continued. “This was not just a victory at the ballot box, it was a clear affirmation of people-powered organizing, a hope in a politics of the future, and centering working-class middle-class families first, not just the ultra-rich and well-connected”
Following the preliminary results, Andrew Cuomo conceded the race late on primary night. In his statement, he congratulated Mamdani, acknowledging his impactful campaign that “touched young people and he inspired them and moved them and got them to come out and vote.” He indicated that his campaign would “take a look and make some decisions” regarding his plans, leaving open the possibility of an independent run in the general election, for which he had already secured a ballot line (“Fight and Deliver”).
Upon claiming victory, Mamdani delivered an impassioned speech, declaring, “Tonight, we made history. In the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done.’ My friends, we have done it. I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City.” His team expressed “exhilaration” at the overperformance, particularly in Queens, where Mamdani had conducted extensive outreach to the South Asian and Muslim communities.
His platform is sharply focused on addressing the cost of living in New York City, proposing initiatives such as a rent freeze, free city buses, subsidized childcare, city-owned grocery stores, and the construction of 200,000 affordable housing units. He also advocates for raising the minimum wage and increasing taxes on corporations and high-income individuals. As a State Assembly member since 2021, he has authored over 20 bills, with three relatively minor ones becoming law, primarily related to public participation in rulemaking and liquor sales. He is the first South Asian man to serve in the Assembly and is seen as a fresh-faced progressive.
Meanwhile, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams had a strong and immediate reaction to Mamdani’s primary win. He launched his reelection campaign as an independent just one day after the upset, signaling that he’s not stepping aside quietly.
Adams didn’t hold back in his criticism. In a Fox News interview, he referred to Mamdani as a “snake oil salesman” and accused him of making unrealistic promises, including free transit and rent freezes. At his campaign launch, Adams emphasized his own record on crime reduction and job creation, contrasting it with what he described as Mamdani’s lack of executive experience.
He also took a swipe at Mamdani’s background, saying, “If you want to be a mayor of people who are going through a lot, you must be a human being that has gone through a lot”—a not-so-subtle jab at Mamdani’s upbringing as the son of a Columbia professor and filmmaker Mira Nair.
Governor Kathy Hochul has commented on Mamdani’s primary win, but she’s keeping her distance for now.
When asked whether she would endorse Mamdani, Hochul declined, saying she’s “not focused on the politics” and wants to have more conversations with him about their policy differences. She acknowledged his grassroots momentum but emphasized that she’s focused on “governing and delivering” rather than campaign dynamics.
Interestingly, she also mispronounced Mamdani’s name multiple times during her remarks, calling him “Mandami”—a slip that drew attention given her role as head of the state Democratic Party. While she congratulated him privately and publicly noted the energy behind his campaign, she hasn’t committed to supporting his platform, especially his proposal to raise taxes on the wealthy, which she opposes.
So far, Hochul seems to be walking a tightrope: acknowledging Mamdani’s win without fully embracing his agenda
Mamdani’s victory is attributed to an energetic, grassroots campaign that successfully united the party’s progressive wing. He received endorsements from prominent national figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, as well as local progressive leaders and unions. He also strategically cross-endorsed with Brad Lander. His ability to navigate sensitive political issues and his charming presence were noted as key strengths, helping him overcome a deficit in name recognition and outside spending.
With Mamdani emerging as the Democratic nominee, the focus now shifts to the November 4 general election. The official certification of results, including ranked-choice tabulations, is expected to take approximately a week, with the final outcome anticipated around July 1.
Moving towards the general election, Mamdani will face a diverse field of opponents. He is the presumptive Democratic nominee and will likely square off against Republican Curtis Sliwa. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is running as an independent, and Andrew Cuomo, despite his primary concession, has indicated he is weighing his options and could also run as an independent under the “Fight and Deliver Party” ticket. And other independent candidates, such as lawyer Jim Walden, may also enter the fray. This setup promises a multi-way contest unlike recent mayoral elections in New York City.
Mamdani’s immediate plans involve consolidating the progressive base and reaching out to broader segments of the New York electorate, to translate his primary success into a general election victory by continuing to champion his platform focused on affordability.
