The 33-year old Democratic Socialist state Assembly member, Zohran Mamdani is taking a commanding lead in the June 24 New York City mayoral primary. He is defying all expectations and has upset mainstream Democratic politics. In this article, you will learn more about this election and How Mamdani defied all odds in this unexpected development.
Mamdani Addresses Supporters After Midnight
Right after midnight, Mamdani addressed supporters that he and former governor Andrew Cuomo must bring the country’s largest city together. Mamdani boasted to the celebrating crowd in Queens, “Tonight, we made history.” With 96% of the votes counted, Mamadani is ahead of Cuomo 44% to 36% in first place votes.
Less than two hours after poll closure on June 24, the former governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, said that he already congratulated Mamdani on this historic win. Cuomo told his supporters, “Tonight is his night,” Cuomo told supporters at his election night party. “He deserved it. He won.”
Mamdani’s Lead is Only Expected to Increase
Mamdani’s lead will increase when other candidate’s supporters will be redistributed to him and Cuomo based on who they ranked lower on their ballot. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who finished third, urged his voters to rank Mamdani second. With the declaration of Mamdani’s victory, Lander also joined him on stage.
Mamdani said, “Together, we have shown the politics of the future, one of partnership and of sincerity.” Cuomo led the polls by double digits for months before this historic tide change by Mamdani. The final poll was released the day before the election. It showed Mamdani winning only by picking up more of Lander’s supporters in the final round of the runoff.
The Race Served as a Frontrunner for the Larger Democratic Party
This Mayor race only served as the bellwether for the bigger democratic party. The coalition wanting to push back Cuomo framed the choice facing New Yorkers as one between choosing an older and youthful party vision. Cuomo is the older and moderate political establishment while Mandani is the youthful and progressive vision for the party who previously lost the White House.
Mamdani Has Drawn Comparisons
Amidst this race, Mamdani is compared to fellow Democratic Socialists of America member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In 2018, Cortez won against Joe Crowley, the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, in a Bronx and Queens district. This overlaps with Mamdani’s assembly seat. She endorsed Mamdani and so did progressive icon from Vermont, Bernie Sanders.
Heavyweight Democrats Backed Cuomo
The mainstream democrats heavily favored Cuomo against Mandani. They included former president Bill Clinton and Rep. Jim Clyburn, who saved former President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. Apart from them, New York’s political establishment, like Rep. Adriano Espaillat and Brooklyn Democratic Party chair Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn, supported Cuomo too.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez Said, “He Gave Us Something to Believe in”
Mandani won over the hearts of young voters by addressing affordability in America’s largest city. Cuomo depended on his decades of experience in the government as a shield against Trump’s attacks on his hometown. Voters are giving Mamdani a chance to bring change to their costly hometown.
He said, “With a vision of a city every New Yorker could afford, we have won.” As per the words of the new democrat sensation, “the city would be one governed as a model for the Democratic Party.” This can give importance to the needs of the working class and stand up to Trump.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who represents a Brooklyn-based district, said Mamdani won with the message of affordability for all. “He gave us something to believe in,” She said this at the election night party. As per her words, this campaign threatens billionaires who enjoy power. But here’s the thing: The city has changed,” Velazquez said. “Zohran knew it.”
Mamdani Can Become the first Muslim and Asian American mayor of New York City
If Mamdani is elected, he becomes the first Muslim and Asian American mayor of this city. As he was born in Uganda, and is of Indian ancestry, he has a big chance to create history. He is also the youngest mayor in a century, if elected.
He represents a big ideological change from Mayor Eric Adams, a conservative democrat and former republican. Over the years, he has become friendlier towards president Trump since he was indicted of corruption by the Justice Department under former President Joe Biden.
Cuomo Led by Wide Margins Throughout the Primary
Former NY governor Cuomo was leading by big numbers throughout the primary. But with time, polling narrowed in the days leading up to the election. A super PAC funded by former Mayor Mike Bloomberg and several major donors to President Donald Trump donated $24 million to defame Mamdani as anti semitic and radical.
Mamdani Now Has an Advantage
Mamdani is at an advantage as the democratic candidate for Mayor in a big democratic city where many feel threatened by Trump. They don’t like President Trump’s aggressive abolition of illegal immigrants, his attack on Columbia University, and proposed cuts to social welfare programs.
There are Still Opponents to Face in November
Mamdani still has many opponents to face in November which includes Republican challenger Curtis Sliwa. Silwa is a conservative talk show host and a local activist for a long time. Apart from that, Adams is running for reelection as an independent and Cuomo may do as well.
It is evident that Zohran will continue to be attacked by his opponents for his views on Israel. Earlier his views also drew criticism from some Jewish groups. Apart from that, he will likely be attacked for his inexperience as a third-term lawmaker with quite a moderate record of legislative accomplishment.
Mamdani’s Social Media Campaign
He also ran a social media campaign that showed viral videos like speaking to blue-collar voters in the Bronx and Queens who voted for Trump. He is seen speaking to them on issues like cost of living. Besides that, he also campaigned on promises like freezing the rent in rent-stabilized apartments. He also promised to make buses free, and provide universal child care to the residents.
Cuomo Was a Vulnerable Front Runner
Though the former governor enjoyed a lot of familiarity and loyalty, he was an unsafe frontrunner. TThis is due to accusations of sexual harassment, hiding COVID deaths, and bullying in the state Capitol as governor, which led to his 2021 resignation. Lander, a progressive candidate who campaigned alongside Mamdani, told his supporters, “We’re done with him,” “Andrew Cuomo is in the past. He is not the present or the future of New York City.”
Candidates Must Surpass 50% of first-round votes to win
As per the city’s ranked choice voting system, candidates must surpass 50% first-round votes to win. The Cuomo campaign understood that it cannot get second or third-round votes from other candidates that can get them in the lead against Mandani. But the votes will be tallied over the next week with the system eliminating the lowest-vote candidates. The subsequent votes will be redistributed to the remaining candidates.
Bottom Line
Mandani’s unexpected victory marks a huge shift in New York politics and within the Democratic party. With sound middle class support, a progressive agenda, and endorsements from top leftists, Mandani has won the hearts of a new-generation of voters. As he slowly heads to the general election, his campaign is a big challenge to the old mentality and offers a vision of inclusivity, affordability, and change. This can be promising for the city’s future and its residents.
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