Egypt Daily News – Zahran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Muslim candidate and outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights, won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor on Tuesday evening, marking a significant political upset after former Governor Andrew Cuomo unexpectedly withdrew from the race.
Although not all ballots had been counted by the time of the announcement, Mamdani held a strong lead with 43.5% of the vote compared to Cuomo’s 36.4%, with 93% of ballots tallied. The victory was seen as historic, not only for its political implications but also for what Mamdani represents: a young, democratic socialist with progressive ideals who would become New York City’s first Muslim and Indian-American mayor if elected in November.
Speaking to an energized crowd of supporters, Mamdani declared, “Tonight, we made history. I will be your Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City.”
Cuomo, a seasoned political figure whose career was marred by scandal, acknowledged defeat graciously. “Tonight is his night. He earned it. He won,” Cuomo said, adding that Mamdani had run a “smart, strong, and genuinely effective” campaign. Despite being the frontrunner early in the race, Cuomo struggled to regain momentum once votes were redistributed, ultimately prompting his withdrawal.
In an interview with The New York Times, Cuomo hinted at a possible return in the general election as an independent candidate. “I said he won the primary. But I also said I want to look at the numbers and results before deciding my next steps, since I’m also on the independent line,” Cuomo said.
Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 following a state attorney general report that concluded he had sexually harassed at least 11 women — claims he denied, arguing his actions were misinterpreted in light of evolving workplace standards. During his mayoral campaign, he defended himself more aggressively, framing the scandal as a politically motivated attack by rivals.
The Democratic primary drew national attention, viewed as a litmus test for the future direction of the Democratic Party. It pitted two dramatically different visions against each other: Cuomo, representing the party’s centrist establishment, and Mamdani, the youthful face of its progressive wing.
Mamdani ran on a platform of bold reforms, including free public buses, universal childcare, a freeze on rent for subsidized housing units, and city-run grocery stores funded by new taxes on the wealthy. While largely unknown prior to the race, he gained rapid support through a savvy social media campaign and strong grassroots organizing.
His vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel set him at odds with much of the Democratic establishment, but earned him endorsements from key progressive figures, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Beyond the backing of influential politicians, Mamdani’s appeal grew organically. One viral video showed him engaging directly with New York voters who had supported Donald Trump, highlighting his willingness to speak across divides.
If elected in November, Mamdani’s victory would represent a major shift in New York politics and could signal a broader transformation within the Democratic Party nationwide.
