Mamdani Leads Initial Tally in NYC Mayoral Primary
Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani emerged as the preliminary leader in the NYC primary first round of the Democratic mayoral primary, edging out former Governor Andrew Cuomo. With 89% of precincts reporting shortly after polls closed, Mamdani secured 44% of first-choice votes, while Cuomo trailed at 36% and City Comptroller Brad Lander at 11%. No candidate crossed the 50% threshold, triggering a ranked-choice vote count in the coming weeks.
How Top Candidates Fared Across Boroughs
In preliminary NYC primary results, Mamdani claimed 43.5% of more than 957,200 first-round votes citywide. Because this is only New York City’s second ranked-choice primary, outcomes may shift as lower-ranked candidates are eliminated and their supporters’ next preferences are allocated. Brad Lander’s endorsement of Mamdani as his second choice could prove pivotal: many Lander backers may transfer to Mamdani in subsequent rounds. At Lander’s election-night event, he celebrated: “Together, we are sending Andrew Cuomo back to the suburbs.”
Official full results across all ranked-choice rounds won’t be available until mid-July, but initial figures set the tone for an unpredictable NYC mayoral race.
Early Voting Day Moves by Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani began primary day with a 5:40 a.m. press conference in Astoria Park, then met voters in Jackson Heights. He declared, “We are approaching the dawn of a new era in New York City. We are turning the page on the corrupt politics of the past that made this the most expensive city in the United States of America.” His grassroots outreach appeared to resonate, especially among voters seeking change in the NYC mayor race.
Other Mayoral Contenders and Concessions
Several candidates lagged significantly in first-round tallies. Former Comptroller Scott Stringer conceded soon after polls closed. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams received about 4% of first-choice votes. Zellnor Myrie, Michael Blake, Whitney Tilson, Jessica Ramos, Paperboy Prince and Selma Bartholomew each garnered less than 1%. Their early exits will feed into the ranked-choice process, redistributing votes among remaining contenders in the NYC mayoral election.
Associated Citywide Races on Primary Night
Alongside the NYC primary for mayor, other contests drew attention:
- Public Advocate: Incumbent Jumaane Williams defended his seat against Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar.
- City Comptroller: Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine led Brooklyn Councilmember Justin Brannan in early counts.
- City Council: All 51 seats were contested. In Brooklyn, Councilmember Shahana Hanif held off Maya Kornberg; Alexa Aviles beat Ling Ye. In Manhattan, Chris Marte led Elizabeth Lewinsohn and Jess Coleman. In the Bronx, Pierina Sanchez decisively defeated Fernando Cabrera.
- Borough Presidents: Vanessa Gibson retained the Bronx seat over Rafael Salamanca. In Brooklyn, Antonio Reynoso fended off challenger Khari Edwards. Manhattan’s contest saw State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal ahead of Councilmember Keith Powers.
- District Attorney: Incumbents Alvin Bragg (Manhattan) and Eric Gonzalez (Brooklyn) held firm against challengers; these races did not use ranked-choice voting.
Vote Counting Process and Timeline
Tuesday night’s NYC primary results included in-person ballots and early mail or absentee ballots received and scanned by June 20. The Board of Elections will process affidavit ballots after polls close. A preliminary ranked-choice tabulation is expected by July 1, running through each round for over 900,000 ballots cast. Certified results will follow later. Voters returning absentee ballots with minor errors have until July 14 to fix and resubmit envelopes for inclusion. This built-in delay ensures every valid vote is counted in the NYC primary results.
Zohran Mamdani’s Insurgent Campaign Energizes NYC Mayoral Race
What Comes Next in the NYC Mayoral Primary
With no candidate securing a majority in the first round, the ranked-choice tally will determine the Democratic nominee. Mamdani’s lead and Lander’s endorsement may boost his position, but transfers from other eliminated contenders will be critical. The NYC mayoral primary results will shape the general election, as the winner faces the eventual Republican nominee this fall. Poll watchers will track developments closely, noting shifts in voter preferences and turnout patterns.
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Implications for New York’s Future
The NYC primary highlights a desire among many voters for new leadership and an end to entrenched political norms. Mamdani’s early advantage suggests appetite for progressive change, while Cuomo’s strong showing reflects enduring name recognition. As ranked-choice rounds unfold, coalition-building and second-choice appeal will decide who advances. This dynamic underscores the complexity of the NYC mayoral primary system and its impact on the broader NYC election landscape.
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