Zohran Mamdani Wins NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary Over Cuomo

Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a 33-year-old Indian-American and self-declared democratic socialist, pulled off a major upset by defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo in the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary for New York City. Mamdani's victory was powered by a grassroots campaign that resonated strongly with younger voters, Millennials and Gen Z, leveraging social media and ranked-choice voting to overcome Cuomo’s traditional campaign approach and financial advantage. Mamdani's platform includes progressive policies such as a citywide rent freeze, fare-free public buses, universal childcare, and city-owned grocery stores to address affordability and working-class empowerment. Despite opposition from moderate Democrats and business communities, Mamdani leads in polls for the general election, with Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams trailing behind, both running as independents. His win marks a historic moment as he is poised to become New York City's first Muslim and Indian American mayor, reflecting a shift in political dynamics within the city. Mamdani's campaign successfully mobilized diverse boroughs, including areas that had supported Trump in the 2024 election, highlighting his broad appeal across traditional political divides.