The New York City Board of Elections officially confirmed on Tuesday that Zohran Mamdani is the Democratic nominee for mayor. The final results bring closure to one of the city’s most dramatic primaries in recent history, solidifying the 33-year-old’s rise from political outsider to front-runner.
Mamdani clinched 56% of the vote in the third round of ranked-choice voting, surpassing the 50% threshold required to win. His main opponent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, ended with 44% and formally conceded shortly after early results were released last week. With the certification now complete, Mamdani prepares to face Mayor Eric Adams and two others in what is shaping up to be a volatile general election.
Current mayor Eric Adams will appear on the November ballot as an independent. He left the Democratic ticket following his indictment in a federal corruption probe earlier this year. Although the Department of Justice dropped the case, the damage to his campaign was already done.
Joining Mamdani and Adams are Republican Curtis Sliwa, a longtime radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels, and attorney Jim Walden, who is also running as an independent. The crowded field raises the stakes for every vote, especially with ranked-choice voting still in place.
The certification of Mamdani’s win triggered a swift response from national Republicans. Former President Donald Trump labeled him a “100% Communist Lunatic” and warned that if elected, Mamdani could face legal consequences if he obstructs immigration enforcement. Mamdani has previously called immigration raids “terrorizing” and accused federal agents of ignoring due process.
Republican strategists say they plan to use Mamdani’s nomination to target vulnerable Democrats in next year’s midterms, branding his platform as too extreme for mainstream voters.
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Born in Uganda and raised in Queens, Mamdani has built his campaign on bold progressive policies, from affordable housing to immigrant rights. In a video posted after the certification, he highlighted that his campaign performed well even in neighborhoods that voted for Trump in 2024. “We are rebuilding trust in the Democratic Party,” he said.
His first-round vote total alone surpassed what Eric Adams earned across all seven rounds in 2021, a fact Mamdani emphasized as a sign of changing political tides in the city. With the primary win now confirmed, the real fight begins
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