In a stunning political development, Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist, has defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, putting him on track to become the city’s first Muslim mayor.

The June 24 victory is being hailed as a seismic moment in the city’s political landscape. Cuomo, once seen as the establishment favorite, trailed Mamdani after ranked-choice votes were tallied. Mamdani’s final total reached 43.5%, compared to Cuomo’s 36.4%, bolstered by vote transfers from Brad Lander and other progressive candidates.

A resident of Astoria, Queens, Mamdani currently serves in the New York State Assembly. The son of academic Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed director Mira Nair, he has emerged as a leading voice for housing justice, equitable transit, and police reform.

His platform is ambitious: rent control, free city buses by 2027, municipal grocery stores, universal childcare, and a Department of Community Safety to take over many non-emergency roles from the NYPD. He proposes funding these measures through increased corporate taxes and a millionaire surcharge.

Endorsed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and backed by a grassroots campaign of over 22,000 volunteers, Mamdani energized younger and more diverse voters across the five boroughs. His digital outreach and door-to-door ground game flipped polling narratives that had favored Cuomo.

Mamdani’s outspoken international views have stirred debate. He has labeled Israeli actions in Gaza as “genocide,” expressed support for the BDS movement, and stated he would seek the arrest of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu if he entered the city. Critics have questioned whether such views are compatible with New York’s diplomatic profile and diverse communities.

His wife, Rama Duwaji, is a Syrian-American artist and illustrator whose work has appeared in major international outlets. The couple represent a modern multicultural identity that reflects the evolving face of New York.

Mamdani is set to face Republican Curtis Sliwa in the general election. With a 6-to-1 Democratic majority in the city, the odds are heavily in Mamdani’s favor, pointing toward a landmark moment in New York’s political history.