Upstart socialist Mamdani stuns veteran Cuomo in NYC mayoral primary

Democrats pick young candidate who stands out for his eye-catching policy proposals

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NEW YORK - New York City Democrats chose 33-year-old Muslim socialist Zohran Mamdani as their mayoral candidate in elections on June 24, stunning his opponent, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo.

In what appears to be the left-leaning city's rebuke of the Democratic Party's veteran moderates and New York's rarely claimed native son, Republican US President Donald Trump — Mr Mamdani led with 43 per cent of the vote with 95 per cent of ballots counted, city officials reported.

"Tonight we made history," Mr Mamdani said in his victory speech, surrounded by supporters after surging from behind.

"We have won because New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford," he added. "A city where they can do more than just struggle."

The 67-year-old Mr Cuomo, a political veteran who was vying to come back from a sexual harassment scandal, told supporters at an election night party: "Tonight was not our night."

He said: "I called him, I congratulated him. He won."

The party's primary contest featured almost a dozen candidates seeking to become mayor of the biggest US city, where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one.

Voters cast ballots during a smothering heatwave before polls closed at 9pm, but results may take time to finalize.

The contest is ranked-choice, with voters asked to select five candidates in order of preference, and neither Mr Cuomo nor Mr Mamdani claimed the required majority on June 24.