On a warm summer night in June 2025, the streets of Long Island City were filled with cheers, tears, and a palpable sense of history in the making. Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old Assemblyman from Queens, had just accomplished what few political insiders believed possible: he surged ahead in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, leaving behind seasoned political heavyweights—most notably former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
With over 43% of first-choice votes in the ranked-choice voting system, Mamdani now stands at the threshold of becoming the first Muslim and Indian-American mayor of the largest city in the United States. More than just a political victory, his campaign was a testament to the power of grassroots movements, the influence of young and diverse voters, and the hunger for transformative change.
From Kampala to Queens: The Man Behind the Movement
Zohran Kwame Mamdani's journey is as global as the city he hopes to lead. Born in Kampala, Uganda, to renowned filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, he moved to New York City as a child. Raised in the melting pot of Queens, Mamdani embraced his multicultural identity and eventually entered politics with a mission to represent the underrepresented.
He first made headlines in 2020 when he unseated a long-standing incumbent in the New York State Assembly, backed by a coalition of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), tenants' rights groups, and progressive activists. In the Assembly, Mamdani quickly made a name for himself, advocating for housing justice, police reform, and climate action.
His mayoral campaign began as a long shot. Few outside activist circles believed a DSA-backed candidate could compete with political juggernauts like Cuomo. But Mamdani's team had other ideas.
The Campaign: People Over Power
Where Cuomo had money and media influence, Mamdani had the people. His campaign office looked more like a community center than a war room. Volunteers spoke dozens of languages, reflecting the mosaic of New York's five boroughs. His campaign rallies felt like festivals—complete with music, spoken word performances, and free meals.
Mamdani ran on a boldly progressive platform:
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Universal Rent Control to combat skyrocketing housing prices
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Free public transit funded by taxing luxury real estate and financial speculation
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Green infrastructure investments to make NYC climate-resilient
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Community-led public safety instead of expanding NYPD budgets
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Sanctuary policies and municipal IDs for undocumented residents
These ideas resonated especially with young voters, many of whom turned out in record numbers. His campaign received endorsements from influential progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and Jumaane Williams.
Cuomo's Collapse and a Generational Rejection
Andrew Cuomo’s decision to run again for public office shocked many. Once considered a titan of New York politics, his career had ended in scandal after a string of sexual harassment allegations and controversial pandemic decisions. Attempting a political resurrection, Cuomo launched a well-funded, aggressive campaign to regain relevance.
With a super PAC behind him, endorsements from establishment Democrats, and a barrage of television ads, Cuomo seemed poised for a comeback. But the voters remembered. Many viewed his candidacy as a tone-deaf power grab.
Exit polls showed that voters under 40 overwhelmingly backed Mamdani, while Cuomo struggled to connect with this critical demographic. Even his traditional base in suburban Queens and Staten Island saw erosion.
Cuomo conceded on election night, stating, "Tonight belongs to Assemblyman Mamdani. The people of New York have spoken."
The Mechanics of Victory: Ranked-Choice Voting
This election was one of the most significant demonstrations yet of ranked-choice voting (RCV) in action. Under this system, voters could rank up to five candidates. If no one secured a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest would be eliminated, and their votes redistributed based on second-choice preferences.
With Mamdani leading at over 43%, and progressive rivals like Brad Lander (11%) and Shahana Hanif (7%) also polling strongly, analysts expect many of their supporters to have listed Mamdani as their second or third choice. While final results will be certified in July, most experts agree the math heavily favors Mamdani.
Faces in the Crowd: Why It Matters
At Mamdani’s election night watch party, emotions ran high. Aisha Rahman, a 26-year-old volunteer from the Bronx, wept as results came in. "My grandparents came to this country with nothing. Tonight, their grandson gets to see someone who looks like us win."
For Luis Hernandez, a housing organizer from East Harlem, Mamdani's win was personal: "This isn’t just about politics. It’s about a movement that believes every New Yorker has a right to a home, to safety, to dignity."
What Comes Next: A Four-Way General?
If certified, Mamdani will move on to the general election in November, where he could face a crowded and competitive field, including:
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Eric Adams, the current mayor, running as an independent
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Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee and founder of the Guardian Angels
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Possibly Andrew Cuomo, who has not ruled out a third-party campaign
This potential four-way race could split votes in unpredictable ways. Mamdani's campaign now faces the challenge of broadening its appeal while remaining true to its roots.
National Implications: The Left Is Rising
Mamdani's win sends a clear message: the progressive left is not fringe; it is the future of Democratic politics in urban America. Cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and Boston have already seen progressive candidates win key races, but New York—as the nation’s largest and most diverse metropolis—carries special symbolic weight.
Media outlets have drawn comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s upset victory in 2018, suggesting Mamdani could become a rising national star. Whether he embraces that spotlight or focuses solely on city governance remains to be seen.
A New Day for NYC
New York City has always been a place of reinvention. From its immigrant roots to its skyscraping ambitions, it is a city defined by movement. Mamdani’s victory feels like the continuation of that legacy.
He closed his victory speech with the words: "We are not here to manage the status quo. We are here to reimagine the possible."
Indeed, the campaign is over. But the movement is just beginning.
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