New York City mayoral primary election results aren't expected to be finalized for another two weeks. But former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo appears to have been handed a defeat from democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, and Cuomo is responding.
A Cuomo campaign release on Tuesday said the vote count "does not represent the majority."
Voting in the city's ranked choice primary for city leadership, including the mayor's position, showed that Mamdani took 43.51% of the votes in the race, while Cuomo got 36.42%.
Mamdani, a state assemblyman, is described on his website as a "democratic socialist." Mamdani has promised the city's residents things ranging from free child care to enforcing additional taxes on high-income residents.
The Cuomo campaign does not mention Mamdani, but the intent of the release language is clear. "Extremism, division and empty promises are not the answer to this city's problems, and while this was a look at what motivates a slice of our primary electorate, it does not represent the majority."
Cuomo's office said the results show a shift with a "massive spike in voters under 30, and those who had never voted before — completely changing the overall electorate, which is why no poll or model predicted the outcome."
All potential options remain open for Cuomo to move forward with his campaign, according to the release. USA Today earlier reported that Cuomo planned to stay in the race as an independent.
Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.