Muslim Zohran Mamdani Elected Mayor of New York Democratic Primary

Muslim Zohran Mamdani Elected Mayor of New York Democratic Primary

1. Grassroots Campaign and Progressive Platform: Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and state assemblyman from Queens, ran a campaign centered on affordability, resonating with working-class New Yorkers struggling with high housing, childcare, and living costs. His bold proposals—free city buses, rent freezes on stabilized units, city-run grocery stores, and building 200,000 affordable housing units—gained traction, particularly among younger voters. His campaign’s focus on economic populism and a vision for a more equitable city appealed to a broad coalition, including South Asian, Muslim, Latino, and progressive white voters. With over 50,000 volunteers and $8 million in small-donor fundraising, his grassroots operation was unprecedented in NYC elections, outmatching rivals like Andrew Cuomo.
2. Ranked-Choice Voting Advantage: NYC’s ranked-choice voting (RCV) system played a crucial role. In the first round, Mamdani secured 43.5–44% of first-choice votes compared to Cuomo’s 36–36.4%, with no candidate reaching the 50% threshold. As lower-polling candidates were eliminated, Mamdani benefited from second- and third-choice votes, particularly from supporters of progressive candidates like Brad Lander, who cross-endorsed him. Polls, such as one from Emerson College, showed Mamdani gaining 18 points in RCV rounds compared to Cuomo’s 12, pushing him over 50% in simulations (e.g., 51.8% to Cuomo’s 48.2% after eight rounds). This system rewarded his broad appeal among progressive voters.
3. Youth and Social Media Engagement: Mamdani’s campaign leveraged social media effectively, with viral videos and endorsements from figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, Emily Ratajkowski, and Bowen Yang. Young voters (under 40) made up 40% of early voters, and 60% of those aged 18–34 ranked Mamdani first, compared to 10% for Cuomo. His energetic campaign, including walking the length of Manhattan to meet voters, contrasted with Cuomo’s low-key, establishment-backed approach, helping him close a 30-point polling gap.
4. Overcoming Identity-Based Challenges: As a Muslim of South Asian descent, Mamdani faced significant hurdles, including anti-Muslim sentiment amplified by some opponents. Posts on X accused him of extremism, citing his faith and family background, and falsely linked him to terrorism or Hamas support. Despite this, Mamdani’s campaign emphasized universal issues like affordability, which resonated across diverse communities. His outreach to South Asian and Muslim voters in Queens, particularly in Flushing and Corona, flipped areas that supported moderate Eric Adams in 2021. His identity as a potential first Muslim and South Asian mayor also mobilized historically underrepresented groups, boosting turnout (980,782 voters, up from 942,031 in 2021).
5. Controversy Over Israel and Antisemitism Allegations: Mamdani’s criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights drew accusations of antisemitism from some critics, particularly on X, where posts labeled him a “threat to Jews” or claimed he “wants Israel destroyed.” He addressed these by affirming Israel’s right to exist with equal rights for all citizens and denouncing antisemitism, with groups like Jews for Racial and Economic Justice defending him against misrepresentation. While his stances on Israel sparked criticism from some Jewish leaders, NYC’s diverse electorate prioritized local issues like affordability over foreign policy. His campaign’s focus on uniting all New Yorkers, echoed in his victory speech, helped mitigate backlash.
6. Post-9/11 Context: The proximity of 9/11 in NYC’s collective memory and accusations tying Mamdani to extremism (e.g., claims about his father’s activism) were used against him. However, these attacks did not derail his campaign, as voters focused on his policy proposals and vision for change. His ability to build a coalition across racial, ethnic, and generational lines, including in Latino and South Asian neighborhoods, countered divisive narratives. The high voter turnout and enthusiasm among new and young voters suggest that 9/11-related fears were less salient than immediate economic concerns.
7. Cuomo’s Weaknesses: Andrew Cuomo, despite early name recognition and establishment support (e.g., endorsements from Bill Clinton and Mike Bloomberg), was hampered by his 2021 resignation amid sexual harassment allegations. Mamdani capitalized on this, notably in a debate where he said, “Mr. Cuomo, I have never had to resign in disgrace.” Cuomo’s campaign relied heavily on negative ads, with a super PAC spending $25 million attacking Mamdani, which some pollsters saw as a sign of weakness. His concession on primary night, before RCV tabulation, reflected Mamdani’s insurmountable lead.

The New York Republican primary for the 2025 New York City mayoral election did not occur because it was uncontested. Curtis Sliwa, the 2021 Republican nominee, was automatically selected as the Republican nominee for the November 2025 general election. New York’s closed primary system restricts voting to registered Republicans, but with only one candidate, no primary election was held. Sliwa will face the Democratic nominee, independent candidates like incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and potentially a Working Families Party candidate in the general election.

1. Voters Rank Candidates: On the ballot, voters mark their top choices, typically up to a set number (e.g., five in NYC). You can rank as few or as many as allowed.
2. Counting First Choices: Initial votes are tallied based on each voter’s top choice. If a candidate gets over 50% of first-choice votes, they win outright.
3. Elimination and Redistribution: If no candidate exceeds 50%, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated. Votes for that candidate are redistributed to the voters’ next-preferred candidates (based on their rankings).
4. Repeat Until Winner: This process repeats—eliminating the lowest vote-getter and redistributing votes—until one candidate surpasses 50% or only two candidates remain, and the one with more votes wins.

• Candidates: A, B, C, D.
• 100 voters rank preferences.
• Round 1: A gets 40 votes, B gets 30, C gets 20, D gets 10 (no one over 50%).
• D is eliminated; D’s voters’ second choices are redistributed (say, 5 to A, 5 to B).
• Round 2: A has 45, B has 35, C has 20.
• C is eliminated; C’s votes go to second (or third) choices.
• This continues until A or B exceeds 50%.

• Ensures the winner has broader support (avoids “spoiler” candidates splitting votes).
• Encourages positive campaigning (candidates seek second-choice votes).
• Reduces “wasted” votes, as preferences shift to viable candidates.

• Can be complex to understand or explain.
• May delay final results due to multiple rounds.

Compare NYC and Chicago elections

 

• NYC (2025):
  • Primary Date: June 24, 2025, with early voting from June 14–22. General election on November 4, 2025.
  • Electoral System: NYC uses ranked-choice voting (RCV) for its Democratic primary, allowing voters to rank up to five candidates. If no candidate exceeds 50% of first-choice votes, the lowest vote-getter is eliminated, and votes are redistributed until a winner emerges. Final RCV results are tabulated starting July 1, with certification by July 15.
  • Primary Type: Closed primary; only registered Democrats vote in the Democratic primary, and Republicans did not hold a primary as Curtis Sliwa was the uncontested nominee.
  • Context: The Democratic primary is critical in NYC, a heavily Democratic city, making the primary winner the likely general election victor. The 2025 race featured 11 Democratic candidates, with no incumbent Democrat running (Eric Adams ran as an independent).
• Chicago (2023):
  • Election Date: February 28, 2023 (nonpartisan primary), with a runoff on April 4, 2023.
  • Electoral System: Chicago uses a nonpartisan primary system. All candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same ballot. If no candidate secures a majority (>50%), the top two advance to a runoff election. No ranked-choice voting is used.
  • Primary Type: Nonpartisan; all registered voters can participate, unlike NYC’s closed system.
  • Context: Chicago’s mayoral race was open, with incumbent Lori Lightfoot running for re-election but facing multiple challengers. The nonpartisan system reflects Chicago’s less party-dominated local politics compared to NYC.

• NYC (2025):
  • Key Candidates: The Democratic primary featured a tight race between Andrew Cuomo (former governor, centrist) and Zohran Mamdani (state assemblyman, democratic socialist). Other candidates included Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, and Adrienne Adams. Incumbent Eric Adams, facing corruption charges, ran as an independent, leaving the Democratic field open. Curtis Sliwa was the uncontested Republican nominee, and Jim Walden ran as an independent.
  • Ideological Split: The race highlighted a progressive vs. moderate divide within the Democratic Party. Mamdani’s progressive platform (free buses, rent freezes, city-run groceries) contrasted with Cuomo’s establishment-backed, business-friendly approach.
  • Outcome: Mamdani won the Democratic primary with 44% of first-choice votes, surpassing Cuomo (36%) after RCV redistribution, leveraging strong progressive endorsements (e.g., Bernie Sanders, AOC) and youth turnout.
  • Controversies: Mamdani faced accusations of antisemitism due to his criticism of Israel, which he countered by affirming Israel’s right to exist and denouncing antisemitism. His Muslim and South Asian identity also drew bigoted attacks, but these did not derail his campaign.
• Chicago (2023):
  • Key Candidates: Nine candidates competed in the nonpartisan primary, including incumbent Lori Lightfoot, Brandon Johnson (progressive, backed by the Chicago Teachers Union), Paul Vallas (moderate, law-and-order focus), Jesús “Chuy” García, and Willie Wilson. The runoff pitted Johnson against Vallas.
  • Ideological Split: Similar to NYC, Chicago’s race featured a progressive vs. moderate divide. Johnson, a democratic socialist, emphasized education and social equity, while Vallas focused on public safety and fiscal conservatism. Lightfoot, a moderate, struggled with low approval ratings.
  • Outcome: Johnson and Vallas advanced to the runoff, with Johnson winning 52.1% to Vallas’s 47.9%. His victory was driven by strong union support (especially the Chicago Teachers Union) and progressive voters, despite low overall turnout.
  • Controversies: Johnson’s progressive policies, like taxing corporations and wealthier residents, drew criticism for being fiscally unsustainable. His ties to the teachers’ union were seen as both a strength and a liability, with opponents arguing he prioritized union interests over broader city needs.

• NYC (2025):
  • Turnout: Approximately 980,782 voters participated in the Democratic primary, up from 942,031 in 2021, reflecting high engagement despite extreme heat on Election Day. Early voting saw over twice as many voters as in 2021. Young voters (18–34) were a key demographic, with 60% ranking Mamdani first.
  • Engagement: Mamdani’s campaign leveraged social media and celebrity endorsements (e.g., Emily Ratajkowski, Bowen Yang) to mobilize young and diverse voters. His 50,000+ volunteers and $8 million in small-donor funds underscored grassroots energy. RCV encouraged strategic voting, with cross-endorsements (e.g., Mamdani and Lander) shaping outcomes.
• Chicago (2023):
  • Turnout: Turnout was low at 36% of registered voters in the February primary, partly blamed on harsh winter weather, though vote-by-mail was available. The runoff saw slightly higher engagement but remained low compared to NYC.
  • Engagement: Johnson’s campaign relied heavily on the Chicago Teachers Union and progressive groups, which mobilized voters despite low turnout. Vallas appealed to voters concerned about crime, but his base was less energized. Social media played a role, but not as dominantly as in NYC’s 2025 race.

• NYC (2025):
  • Issues: Crime and public safety (26%) and housing costs (25%) were top voter concerns, followed by jobs and the economy (18%). Mamdani’s affordability-focused platform (rent freezes, free buses, affordable housing) aligned with these priorities, while Cuomo emphasized experience and infrastructure. Immigration concerns (63% of voters worried about migrant influx) also shaped the race, though less dominantly for Mamdani’s base.
  • Sentiment: 62% of voters felt NYC was on the “wrong track,” with Mayor Adams’s approval at 27%, reflecting dissatisfaction that fueled Mamdani’s outsider appeal.
• Chicago (2023):
  • Issues: Public safety was the dominant issue, with Chicago’s high crime rates driving voter concerns. Johnson proposed community-based solutions and education investment, while Vallas emphasized policing. Fiscal challenges, including budget deficits and pension obligations, also loomed large, with Johnson’s tax proposals (e.g., $300 million tax hike, mansion tax) sparking debate.
  • Sentiment: Lightfoot’s low approval (similar to Adams’s) and voter frustration with crime and finances created an appetite for change, benefiting Johnson’s progressive vision despite skepticism about its feasibility.

• NYC (2025):
  • Primary Outcome: Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary, positioning him as the likely general election favorite in Democratic-leaning NYC. He faces Eric Adams (independent), Curtis Sliwa (Republican), Jim Walden (independent), and potentially Andrew Cuomo (independent).
  • Implications: Mamdani’s win signals a progressive shift in NYC, with potential challenges in governing a diverse city with moderate and business-friendly factions. His youth and outsider status contrast with Chicago’s Johnson, who faced immediate governance struggles. The general election may be competitive if Cuomo runs independently, splitting the moderate vote.
• Chicago (2023):
  • Outcome: Brandon Johnson won the runoff, becoming mayor on April 4, 2023. His tenure has been rocky, with a 6% approval rating by 2025 due to failed tax proposals, a costly teachers’ union contract, and fiscal mismanagement, as noted by critics.
  • Implications: Johnson’s progressive policies struggled to address Chicago’s financial and crime challenges, alienating moderates and state officials. This serves as a cautionary tale for NYC, with some warning Mamdani could face similar governance issues.

• NYC: Posts on X and media like the Chicago Tribune warned NYC voters against electing a socialist mayor, citing Chicago’s struggles under Johnson. Mamdani’s win was celebrated by progressives but met with skepticism by moderates fearing governance challenges.
• Chicago: The Chicago Tribune and X posts reflect regret over Johnson’s election, citing low turnout and union influence as enabling a “radical” candidate. Some urged NYC to avoid a similar outcome, though others noted differences in the cities’ political structures make direct comparisons tricky.

• Similarities: Both elections featured progressive vs. moderate battles, with progressive candidates (Mamdani, Johnson) prevailing through grassroots and union support. Public safety and economic concerns dominated, and incumbent unpopularity (Adams, Lightfoot) fueled change. Both cities grappled with voter dissatisfaction and ideological divides.
• Differences: NYC’s RCV and closed primary contrast with Chicago’s nonpartisan runoff system, affecting voter participation and outcomes. NYC’s higher turnout and summer timing contrast with Chicago’s low turnout and winter election. Mamdani’s youth and social media savvy outshine Johnson’s union-driven campaign, but Chicago’s fiscal crises pose a warning for NYC’s governance challenges.
• Key Takeaway: While Mamdani’s 2025 NYC primary win mirrors Johnson’s 2023 Chicago victory, NYC’s electoral system and political context suggest a stronger progressive mandate. However, Chicago’s post-election struggles under Johnson highlight potential risks for Mamdani if his policies falter in the general election or governance.