Zohran Mamdani's surprising victory in NYC Democratic primary signals shift in party dynamics
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 25, 2025, 19:41 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
In a stunning turn of events, Zohran Mamdani has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor following Andrew Cuomo's concession. His victory celebration in Long Island City was a lively affair, attended by notable supporters like Cynthia Nixon and Chi Ossé, who regard Mamdani's campaign as a groundbreaking blueprint for future Democratic endeavors.
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, is poised to win the Democratic primary for New York City mayor after Andrew Cuomo, a 67-year-old former governor, conceded the race on Tuesday night; the victory party in Long Island City, Queens, was filled with disbelief, celebration, and a sense of schadenfreude as Mamdani's supporters, including figures like Cynthia Nixon and Chi Ossé, gathered to celebrate what many see as a shift in the Democratic Party's direction. The event, though underprepared in terms of space and amenities, became a focal point for politicians and activists who see Mamdani's campaign as a model for the future, even as they acknowledge the challenges of the upcoming citywide election against candidates like Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa.
Kal Penn was left speechless when Andrew Cuomo conceded the race to Zohran Mamdani. The crowd at Mamdani’s Election Night party reacted with screams of disbelief, victory, and schadenfreude.
Cuomo's concession came as a surprise to many, given his long-standing presence in New York politics. Some believe Cuomo took the primary for granted.
Mamdani's victory party took place on the roof deck of a craft brewery in Long Island City, Queens. The banner read “Afford to Live & Afford to Dream,” with “paid for by zohranfornyc” at the bottom.
Cynthia Nixon, who ran against Cuomo in the 2018 Democratic primary for governor, attended the party. She was joined by her wife and embraced other supporters.
“What are we going to do when we don’t have Cuomo to fight?” one person joked to Nixon.
Nixon described her feelings as overwhelming.
“I have never simultaneously been so excited for anyone, and vote against anyone,” Nixon said. “Usually it’s one or the other, but this was like a meeting of heaven and hell.”
Chi Ossé, a city councilman from Brooklyn, and Ella Emhoff, the stepdaughter of former Vice President Kamala Harris, were also present. Emhoff wore a blue-and-yellow Mamdani bandana.
The event was held in a rapidly gentrifying area. A candle-making class is the next event being advertised at the venue.
Mamdani’s staffers were still setting up the venue half an hour after the polls closed. Politicians across the city started arriving as the results became clear.
Some attendees admitted they hadn’t initially supported Mamdani or ranked him first on their ballots. Brad Lander, the city comptroller, also attended.
Lander tried to explain the excitement for Mamdani.
“I don’t think the line is so much between progressives and moderates, it’s between fighters and fakers,” Lander said. “What Zohran is showing is that it’s worth putting up big bold ideas for change, standing up and fighting for them, and that’s pretty hopeful. Yes, he’s a democratic socialist, but he had a bold vision for the future of the city and that excited people.”
Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman hugged Penn so hard he lifted him off the ground. David Hogg was pleased that his PAC had endorsed Mamdani.
Mamdani’s campaign manager, Elle Bisgaard-Church, thanked the Democratic Socialists of America. The crowd chanted “DSA! DSA!”
She said the campaign “has been run by the left and organized to win.”
New York Rep. Nydia Velázquez told the crowd the “campaign has shocked the world — but everyone in this room knew we were going to do it.”
Some supporters believe Mamdani’s campaign needs to become more ambitious and develop a stronger management structure. He will face Eric Adams, Curtis Sliwa, Jim Walden, and possibly Cuomo in the general election.
Murad Awawdeh, the president of the New York Immigration Coalition, believes Mamdani’s volunteers could have reached millions more voters with better organization.
Bowman told New York State Rep. Khaleel Anderson that moneyed interests might try to stop Mamdani. He suggested they might even try to recruit someone like Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson as a candidate.
Mamdani believes his campaign demonstrates his readiness to run a city of 8 million with a $112 billion budget.
“Incredible,” he told CNN. “But I’m excited to meet every single voter now.”
Mamdani spoke about his campaign as a model for the Democratic Party and the New York City he wants to lead as a model for the country.
Kal Penn was left speechless when Andrew Cuomo conceded the race to Zohran Mamdani. The crowd at Mamdani’s Election Night party reacted with screams of disbelief, victory, and schadenfreude.
Cuomo's concession came as a surprise to many, given his long-standing presence in New York politics. Some believe Cuomo took the primary for granted.
Mamdani's victory party took place on the roof deck of a craft brewery in Long Island City, Queens. The banner read “Afford to Live & Afford to Dream,” with “paid for by zohranfornyc” at the bottom.
Cynthia Nixon, who ran against Cuomo in the 2018 Democratic primary for governor, attended the party. She was joined by her wife and embraced other supporters.
“What are we going to do when we don’t have Cuomo to fight?” one person joked to Nixon.
Nixon described her feelings as overwhelming.
“I have never simultaneously been so excited for anyone, and vote against anyone,” Nixon said. “Usually it’s one or the other, but this was like a meeting of heaven and hell.”
Chi Ossé, a city councilman from Brooklyn, and Ella Emhoff, the stepdaughter of former Vice President Kamala Harris, were also present. Emhoff wore a blue-and-yellow Mamdani bandana.
The event was held in a rapidly gentrifying area. A candle-making class is the next event being advertised at the venue.
Mamdani’s staffers were still setting up the venue half an hour after the polls closed. Politicians across the city started arriving as the results became clear.
Some attendees admitted they hadn’t initially supported Mamdani or ranked him first on their ballots. Brad Lander, the city comptroller, also attended.
Lander tried to explain the excitement for Mamdani.
“I don’t think the line is so much between progressives and moderates, it’s between fighters and fakers,” Lander said. “What Zohran is showing is that it’s worth putting up big bold ideas for change, standing up and fighting for them, and that’s pretty hopeful. Yes, he’s a democratic socialist, but he had a bold vision for the future of the city and that excited people.”
Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman hugged Penn so hard he lifted him off the ground. David Hogg was pleased that his PAC had endorsed Mamdani.
Mamdani’s campaign manager, Elle Bisgaard-Church, thanked the Democratic Socialists of America. The crowd chanted “DSA! DSA!”
She said the campaign “has been run by the left and organized to win.”
New York Rep. Nydia Velázquez told the crowd the “campaign has shocked the world — but everyone in this room knew we were going to do it.”
Some supporters believe Mamdani’s campaign needs to become more ambitious and develop a stronger management structure. He will face Eric Adams, Curtis Sliwa, Jim Walden, and possibly Cuomo in the general election.
Murad Awawdeh, the president of the New York Immigration Coalition, believes Mamdani’s volunteers could have reached millions more voters with better organization.
Bowman told New York State Rep. Khaleel Anderson that moneyed interests might try to stop Mamdani. He suggested they might even try to recruit someone like Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson as a candidate.
Mamdani believes his campaign demonstrates his readiness to run a city of 8 million with a $112 billion budget.
“Incredible,” he told CNN. “But I’m excited to meet every single voter now.”
Mamdani spoke about his campaign as a model for the Democratic Party and the New York City he wants to lead as a model for the country.