Pro-Palestine socialist Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayor primary
Zohran Mamdani, a self-declared socialist and supporter of Palestine, has won the Democratic primary to become next candidate for mayor of New York.
Originally seen as an outsider candidate, Mamdani ran an avowedly left-wing campaign promising rent controls and free bus travel that saw him leading on Wednesday with 43 percent of the vote with 95 percent of ballots counted.
Establishment Democrat Andrew Cuomo, initially favourite to win, conceded victory to 33-year-old Mamdani, who if elected in November would be the first Muslim and first self-declared socialist to hold the post.
In his victory speech on Wednesday, Mamdani attributed his victory to a campaign that focused on the cost of living and tackling wealth inequality in America's largest city.
"Tonight we made history," he said.
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"We have won because New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford - a city where they can do more than just struggle."
In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done.
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) June 25, 2025
My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it.
I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City. pic.twitter.com/AgW0Z30xw1
Throughout his campaign, Mamdani faced repeated criticism from pro-Israel commentators over his public support for the Palestinians.
Mamadani has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and has said he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited New York.
Following his victory a number of right-wing pro-Israel campaigners said that Jews in New York, the largest community in the world outside Israel, should flee the city.
The Republican Jewish Committee posted "Evacuate NYC immediately" on its X account as it looked like Mamdani was on the verge of victory.
'You took on the political, economic and media Establishment - and you beat them'
- Senator Bernie Sanders
The far-right Betar Worldwide organisation also posted "We urge all Jews to evacuate NYC" after Mamdani's win.
Previous polls of Jewish voters saw Cuomo leading, but Mamdani was comfortably in second place.
Cuomo stepped down as New York governor four years ago after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment.
He has repeatedly emphasised his pro-Israel credentials and was accused by Mamdani's people of running an Islamophobic campaign against the candidate.
However, despite wealthy backers and public support from former president Bill Clinton - who has also been accused of sexual assault - Mamdani's campaign won over voters.
Other left-leaning Democrats and independents congratulated Mamdani on his victory.
"Billionaires and lobbyists poured millions against you and our public finance system. And you won," Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X.
Bernie Sanders also wrote: "You took on the political, economic and media Establishment - and you beat them."
The New York mayoral election is scheduled for 4 November, with Democrats favoured to win.
Incumbent mayor Eric Adams, who stood on a Democrat ticket, is due to stand as an independent in the forthcoming election, but is seen as widely unpopular in the city after being accused of taking bribes. The charges were later dropped.
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