Zohran Mamdani toppled political heavyweight Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor Tuesday (June 25), a stunning win for the 33-year-old former rapper turned state assemblymember whose grassroots campaign struck a nerve with working-class voters. The Queens-based lawmaker celebrated the upset in front of a packed crowd in Astoria, declaring, “My […]
Zohran Mamdani toppled political heavyweight Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor Tuesday (June 25), a stunning win for the 33-year-old former rapper turned state assemblymember whose grassroots campaign struck a nerve with working-class voters.
The Queens-based lawmaker celebrated the upset in front of a packed crowd in Astoria, declaring, “My friends, we have done it… I will be your Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City.”
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, leaned heavily into a platform focused on affordability and public services, pushing for free childcare, fare-free buses and city-run grocery stores.
“We have won because New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford, a city where they can do more than just struggle, one where those who toil in the night can enjoy the fruits of their labor in the day,” he told supporters.
Mamdani: We have won because New Yorkers have stood up for a city that they can afford. A city where they can do more than just struggle. And it is where the mayor will use their power to reject Donald Trump’s fascism. pic.twitter.com/gNCOq9OVSl
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 25, 2025
Preliminary results showed Mamdani pulling in roughly 43.5 to 44 percent of first-choice votes, while Cuomo trailed with about 36 percent.
Though no candidate crossed the 50 percent threshold required for an outright win, Cuomo conceded before ranked-choice tabulations were finalized.
Andrew Cuomo Concedes; Admits Zohran Mamdani Ran “Great Campaign”
“Mamdani put together a great campaign, and he touched young people and inspired them and moved them and got them to come out and vote,” Cuomo said. “Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won.”
Backed by progressive leaders like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani’s campaign drew energy from local organizers and activists who helped him build momentum across the five boroughs.
He pledged to govern inclusively, saying, “I will be a mayor for every New Yorker, whether you voted for me, for Governor Cuomo, or felt too disillusioned by a long-broken political system to vote at all.”
Before entering politics, Mamdani launched a rap career under the names Young Cardamom and Mr. Cardamom.
His 2016 EP, created with Abdul Bar Hussein, blended six languages and paid homage to his Ugandan roots.
In 2019, he released “Nani,” a cheeky tribute to his grandmother featuring actress Madhur Jaffrey.
His music, often laced with humor and social commentary, tackled issues like racism and colonialism.
Mamdani has credited his time as a rapper with teaching him how to connect with people on the ground—skills that translated into his political rise.
With Democrats dominating the last three mayoral races, Zohran Mamdani is widely expected to win the general election in November.
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