Mamdani stuns Democratic Party establishment, declares victory in NYC mayoral primary

New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani has declared victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary.

With 93% of the vote in, Mamdani led former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo by 43.5% to 36.4%.

“We made history. In the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done,’” the democratic socialist told a crowd of ebullient supporters. “My friends, we have done it.”

“Together, New York, we have renewed our democracy,” he continued. “We have given our city permission to believe again. And I pledge to you that we will remake this great city not in my image but in the image of every New Yorker who has only known struggle. In our New York, the power belongs to the people.”

 “Tonight is his night,” Cuomo told attendees at his election party. “He deserved it. He won.”

Mamdani ran on a platform of tackling the city’s affordability crisis by freezing rents, making buses free, and raising taxes on the ultra-wealthy. He has also consistently voiced support for Palestinian human rights and the BDS movement, positions which have resulted in him being smeared as an antisemite by pro-Israel pundits, lawmakers, and organizations.

In recent weeks, as the attacks on Mamdani have intensified, Cuomo has leaned into his reputation as a stalwart supporter of Israel and claimed that the election was a referendum on which way the party will go on the issue.

“You have a schism in the Democratic party right now, and this election is in many ways a litmus test of that,” said Cuomo.

“I don’t consider them Democrats, I consider them socialists,” he continued, referring to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). “They support BDS, they pledge never to visit Israel. That’s not what I believe is the fundamental relationship between Israel and the Democratic Party. As a Democrat, I think it’s synonymous that you support Israel.”

In an interview with Mondoweiss in April, political consultant Peter Feld said that Cuomo’s decision to make Israel into an issue in the elections could backfire, as polling has consistently shown declining support for the country among Democratic voters.

“I think Cuomo’s attempt to Israelize the election is going to backfire,” said Feld. “This could actually help give Mamdani the further strength to overtake him. If that happens, I think it’s going to set the table for some of the primaries next year.”

The same point was made across social media in response to Mamdani’s win.

“The establishment worked so hard to make this election about Israel…and it turns out the electorate thinks it’s good when someone says genocide is bad,” tweeted the Palestinian BDS National Committee’s Olivia Katbi. “This is why AIPAC usually runs attack ads that have nothing to do with the issue.”

“One important lesson from this election is that voters don’t like Israel very much,” wrote journalist Daniel Denvir.

“Mamdani’s victory in the most Jewish city in America — despite a relentless smear campaign by militant Zionists — is a clear referendum on the lie that criticizing Israel equals antisemitism,” posted doctor and activist Kashif Chaudhry. “New Yorkers rejected the antisemitic notion that opposing genocide is the same as hating Jews. They understand that denouncing a genocidal regime is not hate — it’s a moral imperative.”

Mamdani’s general election victory in November is certainly not assured, as many expect centrists to rally around a single candidate like current NYC Mayor Eric Adams, but Mamdani’s victory has undoubtedly sent shockwaves throughout the political establishment.

“NYC SOS,” declared the front cover of the right-wing New York Post. “Who will save city after radical socialist batters Cuomo in Dem mayoral primary?”