Mamdani's Upset Victory In Democratic Mayoral Primary: What We Know

NEW YORK CITY — Democratic voters in New York City on Tuesday rejected a possible Andrew Cuomo political comeback and instead with upstart candidate Zohran Mamdani as their nominee for the mayoral general election in November.

As of Wednesday morning, with 96 percent of the votes counted, Mamdani leads the first round voting with 43.5 percent of the vote compared to Cuomo's 36.4 percent.

The official results of ranked choice voting are expected to be complete by next week.

Mamdani will now face Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa as well as Mayor Eric Adams and Jim Walden, who are both running as independents in the general election. Cuomo has not disclosed if he will still run in November.

Here are the important takeaways from Tuesday's Democratic primary:

1. Cuomo Concedes Primary Despite Being Presumed Frontrunner

The former governor had been leading in every poll for months, but Mamdani had closed the gap recently — in one poll released before Tuesday showed he even had a slight lead in the race.

On Tuesday night, Cuomo conceded the race, telling supporters he had called and congratulated Mamdani.

“Tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani’s night, and he put together a great campaign. And he touched young people, and inspired them, and moved them, and got them to come out and vote. And he really ran a highly impactful campaign. I called him, I congratulated him. Cuomo said. "I applaud him sincerely for his effort, and let’s give him a round of applause, and thank him for his campaign,” Cuomo said.

2. Mamdani's Upset

Despite Cuomo's name recognition, financial backing and party endorsements, Mamdani came out on top.

“I will fight for a city that works for you, that is affordable for you, that is safe for you,” Mamdani said to his supporters during a victory speech.

“We can be free, and we can be fed. We can demand what we deserve,” he added.

"I will be the mayor for every New Yorker. I cannot promise that you will always agree with me. But I will never hide from you."

3. Notable Democrats Back Mamdani After Upset Victory

Governor Kathy Hochul praised Mamdani after his victory Tuesday, saying that "voters made their voices heard, demanding a more affordable, more livable New York City."

"I hear them loud and clear. I look forward to speaking with him in the days ahead about his ideas on how to ensure a safe, affordable, and livable New York City."

Attorney General Tish James appeared Mamdani victory party where she delivered a powerful speech.

"Critics said he didn't have the experience. Critics said he didn't have the right name -- well now everyone know his god-damn name," she said.

The Brooklyn Democratic Chair Rodneyse Bichotte has also endorsed Mamdani in the general election. She had endorsed Cuomo in the primary election.

4. Opponents Quick To Weigh In After Primary Election

Mayor Eric Adams released a statement after Mamdani's victory Tuesday.

Adams is running for reelection as an independent and has faced backlash after President Donald Trump’s Justice Department dropped its corruption charges against him

“What NYC deserves is a mayor who’s proud to run on his record – not one who ran from his record, or one who has no record,” Adams posted on X. “We deserve a mayor who will keep driving down crime, support our police, fight antisemitism, and stand up for working-class New Yorkers.”

Curtis Sliwa in a post on X said:

"Zohran Mamdani is too extreme for a city already on edge. I know many New Yorkers are scared right now. Scared about rent. Scared about crime. Scared about being pushed out of the only place they have ever called home."

5. Uncertainty If Cuomo Will Continue On To General Election

The former governor after conceding the Democratic primary left the door open for a possible independent run in November.

He has registered to run on the Fight and Deliver ballot line.

“I want to look at all the numbers as they come in and analyze the rank choice voting,” Cuomo said on Tuesday. “I will then consult with my colleagues on what is the best path for me to help the City of New York.”