The 33 -year -old state -of -the -art MP and self -identifying as a Democratic Socialist seems to be heading towards an unexpected victory in the Democrats’ qualifiers for its municipality, dominating former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
In his brief statements to his supporters, the 67 -year -old Quomo, who sought a political return four years after his resignation amid complaints of sexual harassment, said he called Mamdani to congratulate him.
“,” He said, admitting his defeat.
Mamdani, who began his campaign as a relatively unknown person, preceded Quomo with 43.5% versus 36.4%, with almost 95% of the electoral machinery being counted, according to the city’s electoral committee. Nine more Democratic candidates were far behind. Mamdani declared his victory addressing his supporters.
“Today … With the vision of a city that can afford every New Yorker, we won,” he said, in a speech broadcast by New York’s ABC7 television channel.
Wants to reject Trump’s policies
He pledged to reject Donald Trump’s policies and “to rule New York as a model for the Democratic Party”.
The result will not be official before next week, due to the ranked-choice voting system that allows voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference.
However, Mamdani’s lead in Tuesday’s preliminary results seemed very difficult to overthrow Cuomo or any other candidate – especially since the third votes, the Municipal Auditor Brad Lander, had urged his voters to say.
With Mamdani compass the Democrats
The match was considered by many as an early indication of the direction that the Democrats believe should take their party, five months after the start of the second term of Republican President Donald Trump.
The difference was clear: the central Quomo with support from the established and ten -year term as a ruler, against a progressive mammoth that promised a rupture with the past.
Mamdani is expected to be the favorite in the November general elections, in a city dominated by the Democrats. The current mayor, Democratic Eric Adams, will also be a candidate as an independent, but his prestige has been shaken by corruption scandals and alleged ties with Trump.
Republican candidate is Curtis Sligua, a radio producer, known as the founder of the Guardian Angels citizens, who had lost to Adams in 2021.
For some voters, Mamdani represents the opportunity for a new era in the party.
“I think it’s time for someone young, for a different man,” said Ignacio Tampouding, a 28 -year -old actor, to a Reuters reporter outside a Manhattan polling station, saying he had Mamdani on his list.
Another voter, Lia Johansson, voted for him even though she was concerned that she is very leftist
