Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayoral candidate, celebrates at an election night event in New York early Wednesday morning as he takes an early lead.
Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Zohran Mamdani is poised to become the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, after leading in the city’s ranked-choice primary on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old state assemblymember and democratic socialist was virtually unknown when he jumped into the crowded primary field last fall. But he had recently skyrocketed in the polls, fueled by in-person interactions, viral videos and policy proposals that appear to have resonated especially among younger and first-time primary voters.
With 93% of precincts reporting, Mamdani garnered 44% of ballots — the most of the 11 candidates and far more than the 36% of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the one-time frontrunner. Cuomo conceded to Mamdani on Tuesday night, but has left the door open to run as an independent in November’s general election.
The primary isn’t officially over: The losing candidates’ ballots must be redistributed to voters’ second-choice candidates until one of them breaks the 50% threshold, a process that is set to begin on July 1.
But Mamdani’s commanding lead sent a clear message — and was enough for him to declare victory just after midnight.
“I will be the mayor for every New Yorker, whether you voted for me, for Gov. Cuomo or felt too disillusioned by a long, broken political system to vote at all,” Mamdani told supporters at his Long Island City watch party. “I will fight…