Zohran Mamdani Surges Ahead in NYC Mayoral Race as Democratic Primary Nears
June 23, 2025 – New York City, NY – State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has vaulted into the lead in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, overtaking former Governor Andrew Cuomo in several new polls just one day before voters head to the polls. The dramatic shift comes as Mamdani’s progressive campaign, marked by ambitious proposals and controversy, has energized the city’s left while drawing sharp criticism from opponents.
A recent Emerson College/PIX11/The Hill poll shows Cuomo with 35% support in the first round and Mamdani close behind at 32%, but as the city’s ranked choice voting system eliminates lower-ranked candidates, Mamdani pulls ahead in the eighth round, winning 52% to Cuomo’s 48%. This marks the first time Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and state assemblyman from Queens, has topped Cuomo in a major public survey, reflecting a surge in support that has grown from just 1% five months ago to 32% today.
Mamdani’s campaign has been propelled by a grassroots, volunteer-driven operation and a platform promising sweeping changes for working-class New Yorkers. His proposals include freezing rents on all rent-stabilized apartments, constructing 200,000 affordable housing units, establishing publicly owned grocery stores, and making bus rides free for children. To fund these initiatives, Mamdani has called for raising the corporate tax rate and imposing a 2% income tax on residents earning over $1 million.
However, Mamdani’s rise has not been without controversy. His proposal to allocate $65 million for transgender medical treatments, including for minors, has ignited debate among voters. Critics have also resurfaced a past rap performance in which Mamdani expressed support for the Holy Land Five, a group convicted of funneling money to Hamas, and circulated a photo of him with a controversial leftist streamer. Opponents have questioned his limited work history, which includes a brief rap career and work for his mother, and have criticized his condemnation of recent U.S. military actions against Iranian nuclear sites as “a dark new chapter.”
The campaign’s polarizing nature has led to heightened security concerns, with Mamdani’s team hiring additional protection in response to threats. Meanwhile, billionaire supermarket owner John Catsimatidis has threatened to close his Gristedes stores if Mamdani is elected, citing fears over the candidate’s policies.
Despite the backlash, Mamdani’s supporters praise his progressive vision and grassroots momentum. As the Democratic primary approaches, the race remains highly competitive, with no candidate expected to win outright in the first round. The ranked choice voting system may mean it takes weeks before a final winner is declared, underscoring the uncertainty and high stakes of this year’s contest.
With both Mamdani and Cuomo holding separate ballot lines for the general election, the outcome of the primary is set to shape not only the future of New York City but also the national conversation around progressive politics and urban governance.