Fact Check: Cuomo concedes NYC mayoral primary to socialist candidate Mamdani.

Fact Check: Cuomo Concedes NYC Mayoral Primary to Socialist Candidate Mamdani

What We Know

On June 24, 2025, Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, conceded the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City to Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state lawmaker and self-identified democratic socialist. Cuomo acknowledged Mamdani's victory in a speech to his supporters, stating, "Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won" (source). Mamdani's campaign focused on progressive policies, resonating particularly with younger voters, which contributed to his surprising lead in the primary (source).

Despite Cuomo's long-standing political experience and name recognition, Mamdani's platform, which included proposals like making public transportation free and freezing rent on stabilized apartments, attracted significant support (source). The primary results were still pending final confirmation due to New York City's ranked-choice voting system, which requires a candidate to secure over 50% of the first-choice votes to win outright. If no candidate achieves this, further counting of backup choices will occur (source).

Analysis

The claim that Cuomo conceded the primary to Mamdani is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. The New York Times reported on Cuomo's concession, highlighting his acknowledgment of Mamdani's victory and the impact of his campaign (source). Similarly, the Associated Press confirmed that Cuomo conceded as Mamdani held a significant lead in the race, marking a pivotal moment in New York City's political landscape (source).

Both sources are credible, with the New York Times being a well-established news organization known for its thorough reporting, and the Associated Press being a respected wire service that provides news coverage to various outlets. The analysis of the election dynamics, including the implications of ranked-choice voting and the contrasting platforms of the candidates, adds depth to the understanding of this political event.

Critically, while Cuomo's concession is clear, the final outcome of the primary will depend on the completion of the ranked-choice voting process, which could still alter the results. However, Cuomo's public acknowledgment of Mamdani's win indicates a significant shift in the Democratic landscape, regardless of the final vote count (source).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
Andrew Cuomo did concede the New York City mayoral primary to Zohran Mamdani, as confirmed by multiple reputable news sources. His remarks clearly indicated recognition of Mamdani's campaign success, marking a notable moment in the political narrative of New York City. While the final results are pending due to the ranked-choice voting system, Cuomo's concession stands as a significant acknowledgment of Mamdani's lead in the primary.