Progressive New Yorkers Celebrate as Mayoral Outsider Claims Victory

Mamdani, an aspiring rapper turned politician, represents a dare to imagine what a post-Trump future might look like

- Jenna Amatulli and Edward Helmore

New York City woke to a "political earthquake" yesterday as progressive residents celebrated the apparent victory of 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani over his political establishment rival, Andrew Cuomo, for the Democrat mayoral nomination.

Supporters poured in to offer congratulations after the news broke that Mamdani – the self-described democratic socialist who, if elected, would become New York's first Muslim mayor – was on track to win the city's Democratic primary.

Although it could be a few days before the final result is known, Mamdani had more than 43.5% of the vote with 93% of the ballots counted while his biggest competitor, Cuomo, the former New York governor and previous favorite, was at 36.4%.

Mamdani declared victory late on Tuesday, telling supporters: "I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City." Cuomo, who had been the frontrunner throughout a race that was his comeback bid after a sexual harassment scandal forced him from the governor's office in 2021, conceded the election.