Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indian-American Muslim politician Zohran Mamdani appears on track to secure the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, following a strong showing in Wednesday’s primary election.
With 93 percent of votes counted, the 33-year-old state assemblyman has garnered 43.5 percent support, outpacing former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who trailed with 36.4 percent.
Though the results are not yet official, Mamdani declared victory during a speech to supporters Wednesday night.
“Tonight, we’ve made history,” he said, quoting Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, we have done it. I will be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City,” Mamdani told a cheering crowd, as reported by The New York Times.
Cuomo has reportedly conceded, clearing the way for Mamdani to face off in the general election set for November 5.
Mamdani’s rise has drawn criticism from former President Donald Trump, who voiced his disapproval on Truth Social.
“Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart.”
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Zohran Mamdani, a Queens legislator now in his third term, has emerged as a surprising front-runner in the race for New York City mayor. Entering the Democratic primary with little citywide name recognition and a sharply progressive agenda, Mamdani has gained traction with voters looking for bold change in the post-Trump era.
U.S. media outlets have noted Mamdani’s rise as a standout among the crowded Democratic field, crediting his unapologetically progressive platform and fierce opposition to former President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies. His grassroots campaign has resonated particularly with younger and working-class voters.
In a spirited early-morning rooftop speech in Queens on Wednesday, Mamdani vowed to lift up New York’s working class and reshape what leadership in the Democratic Party looks like.
Mamdani has distinguished himself from the other 10 candidates with a bold economic agenda that includes citywide free bus service, universal child care, and a rent freeze on regulated apartments, all funded by significant tax hikes on the city’s wealthiest residents.
His meteoric rise has also been fueled by his high-energy campaign style, outspoken love for New York, and savvy use of social media.