I’d be rich enough to fund a Super PAC for Andrew Cuomo if I had a dollar for every establishment Democrat who’s asked me lately, “how can we reconnect with young men?”
The answer is: Zohran Mamdani, although I’m afraid I have bad news for the old-school Democrats: He’s a Democratic Socialist. But in what some are calling the dawn of a new political era in New York City, the 33-year-old Assemblyman achieved a stunning victory in the Democratic mayoral primary last night.
He defied expectations by unseating seasoned political heavyweight and former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the first round of ranked-choice voting. It is a powerful rebuke of traditional Democratic Party politics and a testament to Mamdani’s ability to galvanize a diverse coalition of voters across the city.
Mamdani has built a coalition that reflects the diverse and often overlooked realities of New Yorkers. Activists and organizers have been quick to highlight how his campaign resonated with communities that other candidates failed to meaningfully engage.
“It is such a historic moment for us as Muslims, as South Asians, as immigrants, as New Yorkers,” Saman Waquad, president of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York told The City. “The way Zohran has brought people together in this campaign has been so incredibly beautiful.”
Agreed. Check this video for a flavor of the campaign. It’s infectious. The cadence reminds me of Obama in 2008.
Former Governor Cuomo entered the race with a towering level of name recognition, likely believing his history as a three-term governor would contrast favorably against a candidate less known on the national stage. Yet his campaign failed to overcome lingering resentment from his scandal-filled tenure, including accusations of corruption and sexual harassment.
As Mamdani himself summed up on election night, his victory marks a decisive break with the “corrupt politics of the past that made this the most expensive city in the United States.” Voters clearly rejected Cuomo’s argument that he was the city’s most experienced leader, in favor of Mamdani’s platform rooted in economic justice, accessibility, and a vision for a more inclusive city.
Mamdani, at 33, represents the arrival of younger, more diverse progressive leaders with bold ideas and a willingness to challenge entrenched interests. Still, the road ahead will still be tough. With Cuomo already mulling a run in the general election as an independent (the question is, does he want to be humiliated again?) and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams seeking re-election (best of luck with that!), November’s general election promises to be contentious. Still, Mamdani’s win last night positions him well.
More than anything, Mamdani’s victory in the primary signifies that New Yorkers are ready for a new kind of politics. It is a powerful reminder that change is possible when leaders meet voters where they are and build movements that transcend race, class, and geography. I’m proud to be a New Yorker right now, and honestly, it’s the first time I’ve been excited about a mayoral race in the two decades I’ve lived in the United States.
What a relief.
Matt Davis is a strategic communications consultant in Manhattan
