Zohran Mamdani toppled political heavyweight Andrew Cuomo within the Democratic main for New York Metropolis mayor Tuesday (June 25), a shocking win for the 33-year-old former rapper turned state assemblymember whose grassroots marketing campaign struck a nerve with working-class voters. The Queens-based lawmaker celebrated the upset in entrance of a packed crowd in Astoria, declaring, “My […]

Zohran Mamdani toppled political heavyweight Andrew Cuomo within the Democratic main for New York Metropolis mayor Tuesday (June 25), a shocking win for the 33-year-old former rapper turned state assemblymember whose grassroots marketing campaign struck a nerve with working-class voters.

The Queens-based lawmaker celebrated the upset in entrance of a packed crowd in Astoria, declaring, “My pals, we’ve completed it… I will probably be your Democratic nominee for mayor of New York Metropolis.”

Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, leaned closely right into a platform targeted on affordability and public companies, pushing at no cost childcare, fare-free buses and city-run grocery shops.

“We’ve got gained as a result of New Yorkers have stood up for a metropolis they will afford, a metropolis the place they will do extra than simply battle, one the place those that toil within the night time can benefit from the fruits of their labor within the day,” he instructed supporters.

Mamdani: We’ve got gained as a result of New Yorkers have stood up for a metropolis that they will afford. A metropolis the place they will do extra than simply battle. And it’s the place the mayor will use their energy to reject Donald Trump’s fascism. pic.twitter.com/gNCOq9OVSl

— Acyn (@Acyn) June 25, 2025

Preliminary outcomes confirmed Mamdani pulling in roughly 43.5 to 44 % of first-choice votes, whereas Cuomo trailed with about 36 %.

Although no candidate crossed the 50 % threshold required for an outright win, Cuomo conceded earlier than ranked-choice tabulations had been finalized.

Andrew Cuomo Concedes; Admits Zohran Mamdani Ran “Nice Marketing campaign”

“Mamdani put collectively an ideal marketing campaign, and he touched younger individuals and impressed them and moved them and bought them to return out and vote,” Cuomo mentioned. “Tonight is his night time. He deserved it. He gained.”

Backed by progressive leaders like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani’s marketing campaign drew vitality from native organizers and activists who helped him construct momentum throughout the 5 boroughs.

He pledged to control inclusively, saying, “I will probably be a mayor for each New Yorker, whether or not you voted for me, for Governor Cuomo, or felt too disillusioned by a long-broken political system to vote in any respect.”

Earlier than getting into politics, Mamdani launched a rap profession below the names Younger 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 launched “Nani,” a cheeky tribute to his grandmother that includes actress Madhur Jaffrey.

His music, usually laced with humor and social commentary, tackled points like racism and colonialism.

Mamdani has credited his time as a rapper with instructing him methods to join with individuals on the bottom—abilities that translated into his political rise.

With Democrats dominating the final three mayoral races, Zohran Mamdani is broadly anticipated to win the final election in November. 

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