As New York City’s Democratic primary for mayor approaches on June 24, 2025, the race has intensified, with Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani gaining significant ground on frontrunner Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York.
According to a Siena College poll released today, Cuomo leads at 35% and Mamdani at 31% in first-choice votes. Online rhetoric reflects this, with some claiming that Mamdani may lead in early voting. Particularly, his supporters cite a flyer scandal and an Islamophobia row as factors that have hurt Cuomo. Over 75% of New Yorkers believe the city is headed in the wrong direction, the poll has indicated. This tightening contest sets the stage for a pivotal election, complicated by past controversies and the independent candidacy of incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.
The Democratic primary began with a crowded field, but it has now narrowed to a two-person race. Andrew Cuomo has outlined key proposals, including hiring over 34,000 NYPD officers, accelerating housing construction, and using state funds to reduce classroom sizes. He has received support from major labour unions, such as 32BJ, which represents nearly 200,000 members. At the same time, wealthy donors like Michael Bloomberg have backed him, contributing millions of dollars.
“The Democratic primary’s winner is favoured to win the general election”
Support and supporters aside, why does Andrew Cuomo want to take the demotion? As a former governor, the mayoral office is at least a few steps below. Could it be the 2021 sexual harassment allegations that led to this? Could it be due to the allegations of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic? Or the alleged fudging of mortality rates due to the pandemic?
A YouGov poll from 2021 found that nearly 50% of respondents were acutely aware of the controversies. A separate poll from April 2025 found that nearly 32% of respondents “disliked him,” while just over 26% “liked” him, and a majority were “neutral”. However, the allegations of corruption and harassment have certainly played a role in Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s increased popularity.
Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, focuses on affordability, pledging free buses, rent freezes, and city-owned grocery stores, funded by a $10 billion tax hike on the wealthy. Endorsed by the Working Families Party, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and, recently, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WT), Mamdani appeals to progressives and working-class voters. His cross-endorsements with fellow candidates Brad Lander and Michael Blake aim to consolidate progressive support. However, his “globalise the intifada” remarks have drawn criticism from Jewish leaders, potentially alienating moderates. However, he rebuts the allegations of antisemitism as “holding Israel accountable,” and urges voters not to conflate antisemitism with anti-Zionism. With $2.8 million in small-donor and party funds, Mamdani’s grassroots campaign is gaining traction, particularly in Brooklyn, where he polls at 36%.
Brad Lander, the city comptroller, runs as a progressive technocrat, advocating for ending street homelessness, building 500,000 housing units, and closing Rikers Island. His arrest on June 17, 2025, while escorting a migrant past ICE agent, boosted his visibility, though he remains third with 7-9% in polls. Supported by progressives and unions, Lander’s $3.67 million in party funds and budget reallocation plans underscore his viability.
Curtis Sliwa, the unopposed Republican nominee, emphasises law and order, proposing to expand the NYPD by 7,000 officers and repeal bail reforms. Endorsed by all NYC Republican County parties and backed by former Governor George Pataki, Sliwa’s $8.18 million in funds positions him for the general election. His past fabrication of Guardian Angels stories may undermine his credibility. In a Democratic-leaning city, Sliwa’s chances depend on vote splits, with Adams’ independent run and potential third-party bids by Cuomo or Mamdani complicating the November 4, 2025, general election.
With early votes drawing to a close and over 384,000 ballots cast, the race’s outcome hinges on turnout, particularly among Mamdani’s youth base, the Democratic primary’s winner is favoured to win the general election, but controversies, endorsements, and ranked-choice voting dynamics make this contest unpredictable, with national implications for urban governance.
To read more about each candidate, go to our detailed coverage of each candidate’s policy platform, historic polling data and more details on their controversies.
