New York City Democrats will cast their votes on June 24 in a pivotal primary election that could determine the city’s next mayor. While former Governor Andrew Cuomo is seeking a dramatic political comeback, he faces a serious challenge from Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old progressive rising star.
The mayoral race presents a stark generational and ideological contrast. Cuomo, 67, represents the centrist wing of the Democratic Party, while Mamdani — a member of the Democratic Socialists of America — anchors the party’s left. Both are the frontrunners in a crowded 11-candidate field, with Cuomo long seen as the favorite until recent polls showed Mamdani gaining momentum.
A Divided Field with Two Clear Leaders
Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations and criticism over the handling of nursing home deaths during the pandemic, returned to New York City to launch his mayoral campaign. Backed by a well-funded Super PAC that has raised $24 million — including contributions from billionaire donors such as Bill Ackman, Steven Roth, and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg — Cuomo has campaigned on increasing police presence and boosting private housing construction.
Mamdani, by contrast, has energized progressives with proposals to freeze rents in regulated apartments, make buses free, and reallocate public safety funding. His grassroots campaign has drawn the support of younger, more diverse voters and endorsements from national progressive leaders such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Ranked Choice Voting Could Decide the Outcome
New York City uses a ranked choice voting system, allowing voters to rank up to five candidates. If no candidate secures over 50% of first-choice votes, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated in successive rounds, and their votes are redistributed based on subsequent preferences.
While Cuomo maintains a lead in first-choice support, recent polling suggests Mamdani may prevail through ranked choice redistribution. A June 23 poll by Emerson College/PIX11/The Hill showed Mamdani narrowly defeating Cuomo 51.8% to 48.2% in the final round.
Progressive candidates such as Brad Lander (polling in third) and Scott Stringer have encouraged their supporters to rank Mamdani, bolstering his chances. Other notable candidates include Adrienne Adams, Zellnor Myrie, Michael Blake, and Whitney Tilson. With the exception of Tilson, most candidates lean left — a factor that may further help Mamdani in lower-round redistribution.
Voter Turnout Could Be Key — and Weather Is a Factor
An extreme heatwave is sweeping through the city, with temperatures on June 24 expected to surpass 100°F. This could affect voter turnout, particularly among older voters — a key demographic for Cuomo. In contrast, Mamdani’s younger, more mobilized supporters are likely to have voted early during the June 14–22 early voting period.
Cuomo has publicly criticized the Board of Elections for what he calls inadequate plans to mitigate the heat and has demanded air conditioning in polling locations.
Mayor Eric Adams Sits Out the Primary
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is not on the Democratic primary ballot. After being indicted on federal corruption charges in 2024 (which were later dropped by Trump’s Department of Justice), Adams chose to run for re-election as an independent. His growing alignment with President Donald Trump has further distanced him from the Democratic base.
Trump, Immigration, and Progressive Credentials
Trump remains a dominant figure in New York City politics. While Adams has grown closer to the former president, the rest of the Democratic field has pledged to push back. Mamdani, for instance, made headlines after confronting White House immigration adviser Tom Homan at a state hearing. Lander was arrested while accompanying an immigrant at a deportation hearing.
Cuomo, meanwhile, has argued that his experience makes him uniquely capable of standing up to Trump. “Donald Trump would go through Mr. Mamdani like a hot knife through butter,” he said during a June 5 debate.
Endorsements Highlight Party Divide
Cuomo has received endorsements from establishment figures including former President Bill Clinton, while Mamdani has garnered strong progressive support. These endorsements reflect the broader ideological struggle within the Democratic Party and the future direction of its leadership in New York City.
What to Expect on Election Night
Due to the complexity of ranked choice voting, the only definitive result available on election night will be the count of first-choice votes. The full tabulation, which includes successive rounds of candidate elimination and vote redistribution, is expected to take several days.
With the Democratic nominee likely to win the general election in November, the outcome of this primary will have a profound impact on the future of New York City — and potentially, the national Democratic Party.
