Zohran Mamdani, the 33‑year‑old democratic socialist and state assemblyman from Queens, pulled off a major upset by winning the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City on June 24, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo by roughly 43.5% to Cuomo’s 36.4% of first‑round ranked‑choice votes . Despite Cuomo’s establishment support and a heavily funded campaign, Mamdani’s grassroots-driven message on affordability, rent control, and free public transit resonated widely—igniting young and progressive voters, while also making inroads in moderate Black, Hispanic, Asian, and even Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods . His victory is historic: if he wins in November, he’d be NYC’s first Muslim and Indian‑American mayor and its youngest in over a century . The result energizes progressives but draws fierce criticism from Republicans labeling him “radical.” Still, analysts warn that aggressive attacks might backfire and galvanize Democratic turnout . With Cuomo considering an independent bid, the general election is shaping up to be a multi‑cornered contest that could redefine the future direction of both the city and the Democratic Party.

sources