Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo officially conceded defeat Tuesday night in the race for New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary—handing a surprising victory to far-left Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who now leads the pack as the city’s potential next mayor.
“Tonight was not our night,” Cuomo told his supporters. “Tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani’s night.”
Cuomo, who attempted a political comeback after resigning in disgrace three years ago, found himself overtaken by a socialist-backed candidate with a radical agenda and an energized base of far-left voters.
Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and state assemblyman from Queens, has pushed a platform that includes what he calls “public option grocery stores.” That’s right—government-run supermarkets.
“People in his city are struggling with the cost of groceries,” Mamdani’s website says.
“We will create a network of city-owned grocery stores focused on keeping prices low, not making a profit. Without having to pay rent or property taxes, they will reduce overhead and pass on savings to shoppers.”
In short, he wants to replace private businesses with government-run food stores—a move straight out of the socialist playbook. Instead of addressing inflation, over-taxation, or supply chain issues, Mamdani believes more government is the solution. Conservatives will recognize the dangers of big government stepping into private industry, especially in a city already struggling under progressive policies.
With 91% of the vote counted, Mamdani leads with 43.5% (428,995 votes), while Cuomo trails with 36.4% (358,740 votes), according to the Associated Press. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander came in third with 11.3% (111,444 votes).
Although the vote is still officially headed to a ranked-choice count, Cuomo conceded, acknowledging the writing on the wall.
Mamdani didn’t get here alone. Hollywood progressives turned out in force to support him. Stars like:
- Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City)
- Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar)
- Pop singer Lorde
…all endorsed Mamdani, helping boost his visibility among the left’s base. It’s no coincidence that these same celebrities have supported movements like “Defund the Police” and other extreme policies that have contributed to New York’s rising crime and disorder.
New York City’s ranked-choice voting system adds a twist to the process. If no candidate receives more than 50% of first-choice votes, the last-place candidate is eliminated, and those voters’ next choices are counted in additional rounds until someone crosses the threshold.
That said, Mamdani’s lead is strong, and Cuomo’s concession all but confirms Mamdani is poised to become the Democratic nominee—and likely, given the city’s voting trends, the next mayor of New York City.
This is more than just a local primary. It’s a preview of where the Democratic Party is headed.
Andrew Cuomo—once the face of the Democratic establishment in New York—has been overtaken by an open socialist whose ideas resemble failed systems in Venezuela and Cuba more than the founding principles of the United States.
If Mamdani takes City Hall, New Yorkers could see:
- Government-run grocery stores
- Even higher taxes to fund bloated public programs
- More soft-on-crime policies
- A deeper push into far-left ideology
New York City, already suffering under progressive leadership, now teeters on the edge of electing a full-blown socialist mayor. Cuomo’s concession marks a turning point in the city’s political landscape—and it’s a warning sign for the country.
When radicals like Mamdani start winning major races, it’s not just New York that should be concerned—it’s every American who still values freedom, free markets, and common sense.
Stay tuned. The battle for America’s biggest city just took a sharp left turn.
