Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo admitted defeat Tuesday night after losing the Democratic primary for mayor. State lawmaker Zohran Mamdani beat Cuomo during the election contest. Cuomo had tried to make a political comeback after stepping down from office four years ago amid scandal. The 67-year-old former governor told supporters that Mamdani had won the race. Political experts called the result the biggest upset during modern New York City history.
Mamdani leads voters despite falling short of the 50 percent needed for an outright victory. The 33-year-old democratic socialist would become the first Muslim and Indian American to run the nation's largest city. Cuomo surprised many people when he gave up because vote counting will continue next week under ranked choice rules. The former governor said he might still run as an independent candidate during November's general election. Democrats watched the primary closely after losing elections across the country last year.
Mamdani was born during Uganda and moved to New York City when he turned seven years old. The young politician remained mostly unknown until recently gaining attention through social media videos. He supports Palestinians and criticizes Israel in ways that anger many Democratic Party leaders. Mamdani wants free buses, universal childcare and rent freezes paid for through taxes on wealthy residents. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders backed his campaign for mayor.
Mamdani leads voters despite falling short of the 50 percent needed for an outright victory. The 33-year-old democratic socialist would become the first Muslim and Indian American to run the nation's largest city. Cuomo surprised many people when he gave up because vote counting will continue next week under ranked choice rules. The former governor said he might still run as an independent candidate during November's general election. Democrats watched the primary closely after losing elections across the country last year.
Mamdani was born during Uganda and moved to New York City when he turned seven years old. The young politician remained mostly unknown until recently gaining attention through social media videos. He supports Palestinians and criticizes Israel in ways that anger many Democratic Party leaders. Mamdani wants free buses, universal childcare and rent freezes paid for through taxes on wealthy residents. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders backed his campaign for mayor.
