Cuomo and Mamdani lead a closely watched Democratic race that’s seen as an early test of the party’s future after its 2024 losses.
Democrats in America’s largest city will decide this week who will represent their party in November’s mayoral election.
The June 24 Democratic mayoral primary in New York City marks the first major test for Democrats since Vice President Kamala Harris’s loss to President Donald Trump last fall—and the GOP’s sweep of the U.S. House and Senate.
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani are leading the nine-person field. The two represent competing Democratic visions: one focused on executive experience and party loyalty, the other on bold progressive policies and grassroots momentum.
Nearly 1 million Democratic voters cast ballots in New York City’s 2021 primary, according to unofficial results. Early voting this year has already more than doubled 2021’s early figures—nearly 400,000 cast ballots so far—suggesting that turnout could once again approach the million‑vote mark.
The final Emerson College poll for the primary, released on June 23, shows Cuomo narrowly ahead with 35 percent, followed by Mamdani at 32 percent. But in a ranked-choice voting simulation, Mamdani pulls ahead in the final round, 52 percent to 48 percent. Since May, Mamdani has gained 10 points, while Cuomo has gained just one.
City Comptroller Brad Lander comes in third place at 13 percent, followed by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams at 8 percent and former City Comptroller Scott Stringer at 3 percent, with the rest of the field splitting the remaining support.
The polling also shows clear divides by age, race, education, and gender. Voters younger than 50 break for Mamdani two to one, while Cuomo leads among older voters, black and Hispanic voters, and those without college degrees. Mamdani leads with white and Asian voters and college-educated New Yorkers.
The race has drawn national attention. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has endorsed Mamdani, calling him a candidate who “puts regular people first.” Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) have endorsed Cuomo, pointing to his record managing crises and large infrastructure projects.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has declined to endorse, saying on June 10, “I’m not going to make an endorsement,” offering no further comment. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) also declined to endorse, saying he would “pass” on answering that question in a press conference on June 23.
By Chase Smith
