| In a major upset, Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, is poised to become the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor after defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s primary. Cuomo, who conceded Tuesday night, secured just 36.4% of first-round votes in the city’s ranked-choice system, compared to Mamdani’s 43.5%, according to preliminary results. Mamdani, who rose from relative obscurity just a few months ago, ran on a progressive platform that may prove hard to deliver: a freeze on rents, free buses and higher taxes on wealthy residents and corporations. He’s also entertained ideas of closing streets to cars, lowering speed limits and bringing back year-round outdoor dining. Cuomo’s well-funded campaign was backed by nearly $25 million from finance and real estate billionaires. But Mamdani drew the most individual donors by far, with over 20,000 people giving an average of $62 each as of June 16. Mamdani still needs to face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, in the November general election. Cuomo may also re-enter the race as an independent. If elected, Mamdani would be New York City’s first Muslim mayor, Laura Nahmias, Nacha Cattan, and Gregory Korte report. Today on CityLab: NYC Democrats Rebuke Establishment With Vote for Zohran Mamdani
-- Rthvika Suvarna |
