As June unfolds, most of the country settles into a tranquil phase in the political landscape, where presidential inaugurations are fresh and many congressional candidates remain undecided. However, New York City witnesses a unique intensity in its mayoral race between former Governor Andrew Cuomo and 33-year-old Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a member of the state assembly.
Cuomo is rallying supporters across the city, while Mamdani passionately critiques corporate influence during church gatherings. Recent debates have seen the candidates exchanging cordial barbs, followed by public appearances like parading down Fifth Avenue during the National Puerto Rican Day Parade.
As they lead a crowded field of twelve hopefuls for the Democratic primary scheduled for June 24, voters will encounter a ranked-choice voting system—unique to the city—which allows them to rank up to five candidates. Advocates claim this method more accurately reflects voter preferences by diminishing the chances of vote-splitting among similar candidates.
While Cuomo appears poised to secure more first-choice votes than his opponents, projections indicate he may fall short of an outright majority, thus activating the ranked-choice mechanism. In this context, despite the former governor’s extensive political legacy and significant fundraising advantage, he faces the possibility of losing to Mamdani, whose name recognition was minimal just a year ago.
Polling results present a mixed picture: one survey conducted by Data for Progress suggests a narrow Cuomo victory over Mamdani, while another indicates the younger candidate’s rising popularity among voters.
The political climate offers a twist; candidates who would typically withdraw for a more viable frontrunner now remain in the race due to the complexities introduced by ranked-choice voting. The dynamic has led to an atmosphere of cross-endorsement discussions instead of the usual attack-and-defend strategy typically seen in political campaigns. Voter behavior is also evolving, as residents need to navigate a new approach to ranking their choices in a closed primary with historically low turnout, raising questions about the true representation of democracy.
In the mayoral contest, Cuomo brings a rich political background, having served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton and later as attorney general and governor of New York. He espouses centrist, pro-Democratic policies that resonate with the city’s resident base, promising improvements in schools, public transit, and housing. Yet, his campaign faces strong opposition due to a significant backlash stemming from his tumultuous exit from the governorship amid sexual harassment allegations and the nursing home death scandal related to his COVID-19 policies.
Despite the controversy, Cuomo’s supporters often position him as a pragmatic choice—someone who has the experience to navigate the city’s complexities, even if he may be seen as abrasive in his style. Emphasizing a stance against President Donald Trump, Cuomo claims to be the candidate who can best counteract the former president’s influence over New York.
On the other hand, Mamdani, whose political experience is limited primarily to his assembly seat obtained in 2020, presents himself as a progressive alternative. He promotes policies like free public transportation, child care, and rent freezes—ideas that face practical scrutiny regarding funding and implementation. Despite a less established background compared to Cuomo, Mamdani enjoys broad appeal, particularly among younger voters and those disenchanted with the political status quo.
Both candidates have faced accusations of nepotism, adding an ironic layer to their competition. While Mamdani’s mother is a noted filmmaker and Cuomo’s father was a former governor, the comparison of their political pedigree has become a point of contention in the campaign narrative.
Through a vigorous ground game, Mamdani’s campaign has been noted for its high volunteer mobilization, with outreach efforts aimed at securing grassroots support where traditional campaign strategies may fall short. In contrast, Cuomo has prioritized private meetings with influential political and community leaders to solidify his base of support.
As the election approaches, candidates not named Cuomo or Mamdani struggle to break through the crowded field. Other respectable contenders like city council speaker Adrienne Adams and state senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos have failed to gain meaningful traction in the polls, each garnering support in single digits.
Unexpectedly, Cuomo has intensified his focus on Mamdani, often characterizing him as inexperienced. In return, Mamdani highlights his lack of connections to wealthy donors, presenting himself as a candidate closer to the ordinary New Yorker.
With an environment shaped by ranked-choice voting, candidates are changing their traditional campaigning strategies; some are contemplating cross-endorsements in hopes of maximizing their selection chances in the eventual vote redistribution. The political strategy becomes complicated as unions and advocacy groups begin to rally behind multiple candidates while urging voters to avoid ranking Cuomo.
The implications of this election extend beyond merely selecting a mayor; they reflect broader systemic issues, notably the challenge of ensuring voter engagement in the political process. The reality is that past mayoral primaries, like the one in 2021, resulted in a mere fraction of the city’s population participating—highlighting concerns about whose voices are actually shaping policy from the city’s leadership.
Whether Cuomo promotes his real-world experience or Mamdani relies on youthful exuberance and progressive values, the overarching chaos within the primary could spill into the general election. If either candidate were to lose, the fallout could lead to a secondary campaign through alternative party platforms—potentially complicating the electoral landscape further and demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the modern political environment in New York City.
As voters make their choices this month, they face a diverse field that reflects broader societal divisions and political ideologies. Much will depend on the turnout and how effectively each candidate can persuade undecided voters in a race where strategy, messaging, and voter psychology will play crucial roles in determining who emerges victorious in a city that remains at the cutting edge of political change.
image source from：https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/06/new-york-mayoral-race-cuomo-mamdani/683146/
