June 25, 2025, New York City – In a seismic shift for New York City politics, State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani emerged victorious in the NYC mayoral primary election results, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who conceded late Tuesday night. The Democratic primary NYC race, a closely watched contest, showcased a generational and ideological divide within the Democratic Party, with Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform resonating with voters eager for change. This blog post dives into the NYC election results, explores Mamdani’s background, policies, and the mechanics of ranked-choice voting, and previews the NYC general election 2025.
A Stunning Upset in the New York Mayor Race
The New York mayoral primary was a high-stakes battle, pitting Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, against Cuomo, a centrist with decades of political experience. With 93% of votes counted, Mamdani secured 43.5% of first-choice votes, while Cuomo trailed at 36.4% The Guardian. Cuomo conceded the race, acknowledging Mamdani’s “smart and impactful campaign” at a somber rally NBC News. The NYC mayoral primary results signal a bold new direction for the city, with Mamdani poised to become the new mayor of New York if he wins the general election on November 4, 2025.
Mamdani’s victory speech in Long Island City electrified supporters. “Tonight, we made history,” he declared, quoting Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it is done.” He pledged to be a mayor of New York City for all, regardless of voting history or disillusionment with politics CBS News. The NYC mayor results underscore a hunger for affordability and progressive policies in a city grappling with high rents, inequality, and post-pandemic recovery.
Who Is Zohran Mamdani?
Who is Zohran Mamdani? Born in Kampala, Uganda, to parents of Indian descent, Mamdani moved to New York City at age seven. His Zohran Mamdani ethnicity reflects his South Asian heritage, and he identifies as Muslim, potentially making him the first Muslim mayor of NYC if elected in November BBC. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a renowned academic and political theorist, adding intellectual heft to the family name. Zohran Mamdani religion has been a focal point for some voters, with Mamdani facing Islamophobic threats during the campaign, prompting a police investigation BBC.
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Mamdani, a State Assemblyman from Queens since 2021, represents Astoria and Long Island City. His Mamdani New York roots run deep, shaped by his immigrant experience and commitment to social justice. Endorsed by progressive heavyweights like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani surged from obscurity to frontrunner, leveraging social media and grassroots organizing CBS News.
Mamdani’s Policies: A Socialist Vision for NYC
Zohran Mamdani policies center on affordability, equity, and systemic change, earning him the socialist and democratic socialist labels. His Mamdani platform includes:
- Free public buses to reduce transportation costs for working-class New Yorkers.
- Universal childcare to support families.
- Rent freezes for stabilized tenants to combat rising housing costs.
- City-run grocery stores to address food insecurity and price gouging.
- Affordable housing expansion, aiming to build 200,000 units.
- Tax increases on corporations and the wealthy to fund these initiatives CBS News.
Mamdani’s socialism vision contrasts sharply with Cuomo’s centrist approach, which emphasized experience and fiscal restraint. Critics, including Cuomo’s campaign, argued Mamdani’s Mamdani policies lack pragmatism for managing a $115 billion budget and 300,000 municipal workers BBC. Supporters, however, see his platform as a necessary response to a city where one in four residents lives in poverty and 500,000 children face hunger nightly BBC.
Mamdani’s stance on Israel, including his support for Palestinian rights and criticism of Israeli policies, sparked controversy. He introduced a bill to end tax-exempt status for New York charities tied to Israeli settlements, drawing ire from some Jewish leaders CNN. Despite this, his campaign’s focus on affordability resonated across diverse communities, including South Asian and Latino voters in Queens Politico.
Andrew Cuomo Concedes: The End of a Comeback Bid
Andrew Cuomo conceded the NYC mayor primary on June 24, 2025, a stunning reversal for the former governor who led polls for months NBC News. Cuomo concedes marked the end of his political comeback attempt, four years after resigning amid sexual harassment allegations CNN. Backed by centrist Democrats, unions, and a record-breaking $25 million in outside spending, Cuomo initially held a 30-point lead The Guardian.
However, Mamdani vs Cuomo polls tightened in the final weeks, with Mamdani overtaking Cuomo in some surveys Politico. Cuomo concession speech at the Carpenters Union headquarters was gracious but left open the possibility of running as an independent in November The City. “I want to analyze the ranked-choice voting results and consult with colleagues,” Cuomo said, hinting at a potential Cuomo mayor bid on his “Fight and Deliver” independent line Gothamist.
Ranked-Choice Voting Explained
How does ranked-choice voting work? New York City’s ranked-choice voting NYC system, used for the second time in a mayoral primary, allows voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference. If no candidate secures 50% of first-choice votes, the lowest-polling candidate is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed to voters’ next preferences. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority PBS News.
What is ranked-choice voting? It aims to ensure broader consensus and eliminate the need for costly runoff elections CBS News. In the NYC mayoral election democratic primary, Mamdani’s cross-endorsement with Comptroller Brad Lander, who earned 11.4% of first-choice votes, likely boosted his tally in later rounds The Guardian. NYC ranked-choice voting results will be finalized by July 1, 2025, but Mamdani’s lead makes his nomination all but certain ABC7 New York.
Republican Candidate for NYC Mayor
Who is the Republican candidate for NYC mayor? Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, secured the NYC mayor republican primary nomination. Sliwa, the Republican NYC mayor candidate, ran in 2021, garnering 28% of the vote Politico. He criticized Mamdani as “too extreme” for a city “already on edge” The New York Times.
NYC Republican mayoral candidates faced minimal competition, with Sliwa’s grassroots appeal and name recognition securing his spot. However, in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans significantly, Sliwa faces an uphill battle in the NYC general election 2025 PBS News.
Other Key Players in the NYC Mayoral Race
- Eric Adams running for mayor? Incumbent Mayor Adams, elected as a Democrat in 2021, opted to run as an independent in 2025 after federal corruption charges were dropped by President Trump’s Justice Department Gothamist. Is Eric Adams running for mayor? Yes, but his low approval ratings and independent status make his reelection unlikely The New York Times.
- Brad Lander, NYC Comptroller, finished third in the Democratic primary NYC mayor with 11.4% of votes. His cross-endorsement with Mamdani strengthened the progressive bloc The Guardian.
- Mira Nair, the acclaimed filmmaker, was not a candidate but endorsed Mamdani, citing his vision for a more equitable New York City. Her support amplified Mamdani’s appeal among cultural influencers BBC.
When Is the NYC Mayoral Election?
When is the NYC mayoral election? The NYC mayoral election date for the general election is November 4, 2025. The primary election NYC occurred on June 24, 2025, with polls closing at 9 p.m. The New York Times. When do NYC polls close? For the general election, polls will close at 9 p.m. on November 4, 2025.
When will NYC mayor be announced? While NYC mayoral primary results are nearly finalized, the NYC mayoral election results 2025 for the general election will be announced shortly after November 4, barring any recounts or legal challenges PBS News.
Polls and Momentum: Mamdani’s Surge
NYC mayoral polls showed a tightening race in the final weeks. A June 24 Emerson College poll had Mamdani and Cuomo neck-and-neck, with Mamdani winning after eight rounds of ranked-choice voting CBS News. Mamdani polls reflected his surge among younger, Latino, and white voters, driven by his affordability message Emerson Polling.
Cuomo vs Mamdani polls earlier in the campaign favored Cuomo, with a Marist poll showing him leading 38% to 27% Marist Poll. However, Mamdani’s grassroots campaign, including a viral Manhattan walkathon, shifted momentum The Washington Post.
NYC News: Earthquake Now?
On election day, rumors of an earthquake now in NYC circulated on social media but were quickly debunked. The focus remained on the NYC election results, with no seismic activity reported Gothamist.
The Road to the General Election
The NYC mayoral general election will feature Mamdani, Sliwa, Adams, independent Jim Walden, and potentially Cuomo. Who is winning NYC mayor? Mamdani is the favorite, given Democrats’ dominance in NYC PBS News. However, his socialist label and Israel stance may galvanize opposition from business interests and moderate Democrats Politico.
Did Zohran Mamdani win? Yes, Mamdani wins the NYC mayor primary, positioning him as the Democratic nominee The New York Times. Who won NYC mayor? The new mayor of NYC will be determined in November, but Mamdani’s primary victory makes him the frontrunner.
Implications for New York City
Who is the mayor of New York? Currently, Mayor Eric Adams holds office, but the new mayor of New York City will take office in January 2026. Mamdani NYC represents a generational shift, with his Zohran Mamdani mayor candidacy signaling a progressive wave in New York City politics The City.
The NYC mayoral elections reflect broader national debates about socialism, affordability, and the Democratic Party’s direction under a second Trump presidency. Mamdani’s victory suggests voters prioritize bold solutions over establishment experience CNN.
Conclusion
The NYC election results 2025 mark a historic moment, with Zohran Mamdani’s upset over Andrew Cuomo redefining the New York mayor race. Who won the NYC mayoral election? While the general election looms, Mamdani’s NYC mayoral primary results victory positions him as a transformative figure. His Mamdani policies, rooted in democratic socialism, promise to reshape New York City. As the NYC general election 2025 approaches, all eyes remain on the mayor of New York City race.
FAQs
Q: Did Zohran Mamdani win the NYC mayoral election?
A: Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary on June 24, 2025, but the general election on November 4, 2025, will determine the new mayor of NYC.
Q: Who is the Republican candidate for NYC mayor?
A: Curtis Sliwa is the Republican candidate for NYC mayor, having won the NYC mayor republican primary.
Q: How does NYC ranked-choice voting work?
A: Ranked-choice voting NYC allows voters to rank up to five candidates. If no candidate gets 50% of first-choice votes, the lowest-polling candidate is eliminated, and votes are redistributed until a majority is reached.
Q: What are Zohran Mamdani’s policies?
A: Mamdani policies include free buses, universal childcare, rent freezes, city-run grocery stores, and tax increases on the wealthy to fund affordability initiatives.
Q: When is the NYC mayoral election?
A: The NYC mayoral election date for the general election is November 4, 2025, with the primary held on June 24, 2025.
Reference:
- The New York Times: NYC Mayoral Primary Election Results
- The Guardian: Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Over Cuomo
- CBS News: Mamdani Claims Victory in NYC Primary
- Politico: Mamdani Surges in NYC Mayor Race
- BBC: Who Is Zohran Mamdani?
- PBS News: How Ranked-Choice Voting Works in NYC
- Gothamist: Mamdani’s Upset in NYC Mayoral Primary
- CNN: Mamdani Poised for NYC Mayor Primary Win
