On June 24, 2023, Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state lawmaker and self-described democratic socialist, emerged as the frontrunner in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, surpassing former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Although preliminary results show Mamdani leading with 43.6% of the votes, the final outcome of this closely watched contest may not be known until the following week, as officials continue to count ballots.
With approximately 87% of the preliminary ballots counted, Cuomo, a seasoned politician at 67 years old, follows Mamdani with 36.2%. Nine additional candidates trail behind them in this competitive race. New York City's ranked-choice voting system allows voters to select up to five candidates in order of preference. If no candidate achieves 50% of the initial vote tally, multiple rounds of counting occur. The first results from these additional rounds are expected on July 1, when absentee and late-arriving mail ballots will also be factored in.
Polls leading up to the primary indicated a two-man race between Cuomo, who served as governor for a decade before stepping down in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, and the relatively unknown Mamdani, who has been in the state assembly since 2021. The winner of this primary will likely become the front-runner for the general election in a city where Democrats hold a significant advantage.
The stark differences between the candidates highlight the ideological divide within the party. Cuomo represents a more moderate establishment-backed approach, while Mamdani stands as a progressive newcomer advocating for a departure from traditional politics.
The current mayor, Eric Adams, is set to appear on the November ballot as an independent candidate. However, his standing has been weakened by a series of corruption scandals and perceived connections to former President Donald Trump. The Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa, a radio host known for founding the Guardian Angels anti-crime patrol, previously lost to Adams in the 2021 election.
This election offers an early insight into the direction that NYC Democrats believe the party should take moving forward. Political analyst Basil Smikle from Columbia University's School of Professional Studies noted that the outcome could reveal whether voters prefer centrist policies or a broader socio-political movement.
For some voters, Mamdani symbolizes a fresh start for the Democratic Party. Ignacio Tambunting, a 28-year-old actor, expressed his support for Mamdani, stating, "I think it's time for somebody young, a person of color, something different."
Conversely, some voters are willing to overlook Cuomo's past misconduct allegations, choosing to prioritize experience over ethics. Nicolas G. Baldwin, a 27-year-old teacher, remarked, "Cuomo has a track record of showing a consistent ability to get things passed." He emphasized his decision to judge candidates based on their job performance rather than ethical considerations.
Cuomo has denied the harassment allegations, which he contends are mischaracterizations of attempts to be affectionate or humorous. He has criticized Mamdani for lacking the necessary experience, while Mamdani has seized the opportunity to challenge Cuomo on his past.
Born in Uganda to an Indian family and identifying as a Muslim, Mamdani has a history of pro-Palestinian activism. As a self-identified democratic socialist, he has garnered support from influential figures like U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom are notable progressives.
In the ranked-choice voting system, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated in each round, with their votes redistributed to the second-choice preferences of their supporters. This process continues until a candidate secures 50% of the total votes. This voting method could significantly benefit Mamdani, who has cross-endorsed with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. Both candidates have urged their supporters to rank the other as their second choice, potentially consolidating their progressive base.
Lander finished third in the preliminary results with 11.6% of the votes. He gained public attention last week when he was briefly detained while escorting a defendant out of an immigration court.
As the NYC Democratic primary unfolds, the eyes of the nation are watching to see how this pivotal race will shape the future of the Democratic Party in New York and beyond.
