Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Indian-origin Muslim and democratic socialist, achieved a remarkable upset by winning the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo, according to local media reports on Wednesday.
Mamdani captured 43.5% of the votes, while Cuomo secured 36.3%. The contest featured nearly a dozen Democratic candidates competing to lead America’s largest city, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a three-to-one margin.
Born to renowned Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan-Indian scholar Mahmood Mamdani, Zohran has been active in grassroots politics. Endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, his campaign prioritized affordable housing, police reforms, and climate action.
Taking to social media after the victory, Mamdani quoted Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it. I am honoured to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.”
While final results await official certification, Mamdani’s commanding lead makes him the presumptive Democratic nominee. The primary took place amid a scorching heatwave, with polls closing at 9:00 pm on Wednesday.
Mamdani’s success energizes the party’s progressive wing, driven by his strong social media presence and youthful voter base. Cuomo, once a frontrunner with endorsements from establishment figures like former President Bill Clinton, struggled under the weight of past controversies, including sexual harassment allegations and criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to his resignation four years ago. (IANS inputs)
