NEW YORK (Diya TV) — Zohran Mamdani has officially won the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor. His victory now sets up a high-stakes general election in November.
On Tuesday, the New York City Board of Elections certified the results. Mamdani, a 33-year-old assemblyman from Queens, finished with 56% of the vote after all ranked-choice rounds were counted. This result confirmed a dramatic rise for the self-described democratic socialist.
At first, few expected Mamdani to win. However, his grassroots campaign gained momentum quickly. He promised policies focused on affordability, transit, and child care. As a result, his message connected with many New Yorkers across the five boroughs.
Ranked choice voting played a key role. Mamdani led in first-choice votes but did not pass 50% initially. After vote reallocations, he surged ahead of his closest challenger, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani ended with over 545,000 votes — the most in a Democratic mayoral primary since 1989.
Cuomo conceded shortly after polls closed. He later thanked his supporters and said he was considering his next steps.
Mamdani’s platform includes a rent freeze on stabilized units. He also supports free buses, city-funded child care for children up to age five, and one city-owned grocery store in each borough. These ideas, he said, speak to voters across the political spectrum.
“You know, we won neighborhoods that Donald Trump won,” Mamdani said. “Because affordability affects everyone. That’s why our message reached Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike.”
To fund his proposals, Mamdani plans a flat 2% tax on the city’s top earners. He also wants to raise the corporate tax rate. Critics argue the mayor lacks the power to raise taxes alone. But Mamdani believes he can win support from state lawmakers.
“I’m already hearing excitement from my colleagues in Albany,” he said. “There’s real hunger to deliver for working people.”
The general election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4. Mamdani will face a wide field that includes incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and independents Andrew Cuomo and Jim Walden. Ranked choice voting will not be used in the general election.
Early polling suggests a tight race. A Honan Strategy Group poll showed Mamdani and Cuomo tied at 39%, with Adams trailing at 13% and Sliwa at 7%. Walden had no measurable support.
Following the primary, Adams launched his reelection bid. He quickly criticized Mamdani’s platform.
“This is not a city of handouts,” Adams said. “There’s dignity in giving you a job, not everything for free.”
Cuomo, meanwhile, left his name on the ballot. However, he has not confirmed if he will campaign. In an interview, he questioned how representative the primary was. “About 1 million votes in the primary,” he said. “But there are nearly 5 million voters citywide.”
Mamdani’s win marks a major shift. Until recently, he was viewed as an outsider with limited party backing. Still, his campaign mobilized new voters and sparked attention citywide.
“He transformed the electorate,” journalist David Weigel wrote.
The Democratic primary also brought victories for other progressives. Mark Levine won the comptroller race. Brad Hoylman-Sigal secured the nomination for Manhattan borough president.
Now, Mamdani moves to the next phase of his campaign. His victory reshapes the race and challenges the city’s political norms. What began as an underdog bid now leads a five-way general election that could redefine New York’s future.
