On November 4, 2025, 34-year-old Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected as the mayor of New York City, receiving a total of 1,036,051 votes (50.4%) from citizens. His main competitor, Andrew Cuomo, received 41.6%. The question remains, how was a relatively unknown candidate able to defeat Cuomo who has had a long track record as governor of New York?
To start, Andrew Cuomo carried years of controversy. His 2021 sexual harassment scandal and ultimate resignation left a lasting stain on his reputation. With his return to politics, he was never able to successfully rebuild a shared trust with the people. Additionally, Cuomo’s dismissive remarks about current Governor Kathy Hochul, claiming she merely maintained the peace he created rather reinforced his arrogant reputation. Cuomo’s privileged background also threw off many voters. Coming from a wealthy family, his father, Mario Cuomo, was a well-connected lawyer and business owner. Andrew was seen as ignorant to the everyday problems of ordinary New Yorkers. His policies often prioritized the wealthy, such as opposing increases of taxes on highly paid citizens. While he claimed this would keep the rich from leaving New York to help fund the expensive city, many working-class voters saw it as proof that Cuomo governed for the few, rather than everyone.
By contrast, Zohran Mamdani ran a campaign focused on inclusivity. From the start, his message centered on the needs of working-class New Yorkers by freezing rent, offering free bus transportation, and establishing universal child care. He projected himself as a helper of the people, not a politician chasing power.
Mamdani was able to resourcefully use social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to connect with younger voters. His lighthearted videos and candid street interviews helped humanize him, but behind the humor was a clear and consistent message about hope for a better future for New York. He showed up where voters lived their lives, from Brooklyn nightclubs during Knicks games to prayers at over 200 mosques across the city which earned trust by engaging directly with diverse communities. While Cuomo watched Knicks games courtside with former mayor Eric Adams, Mamdani watched alongside the people. His humble approach symbolized the larger contrast between them, one candidate represented privilege and political entitlement, while the other represented humility and authenticity. Mamdani also gained the support of older and middle-class voters, who were skeptical of his progressive platform. He connected his affordable housing and healthcare access to issues directly affecting seniors, such as rent stability and accessible transportation. By framing socialist policies practically, he successfully grew his supporters from beyond just young progressives.
Ultimately, Zohran Mamdani’s victory came from his authenticity and inclusivity. He united voters across age and class through a vision rooted in compassion. Cuomo’s image of entitlement and political fatigue stood no chance against Mamdani’s energy of connection to everyday New Yorkers. As Mamdani himself told USA Today, “Younger voters are, in many ways, at the heart of this campaign and of this moment.” Zohran brought the sense to New York that finally, someone was truly listening to the common people.