Fact Check: Zohran Mamdani scores shocking upset over Andrew Cuomo in mayoral primary!

Fact Check: "Zohran Mamdani scores shocking upset over Andrew Cuomo in mayoral primary!"

What We Know

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman, has indeed emerged as a significant contender in the New York City mayoral race. He was declared the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor after a surprising victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary held on June 24, 2025. According to reports, Mamdani garnered approximately 43.5% of the first-choice votes, while Cuomo received around 36.4%, leading Cuomo to concede the race shortly after polls closed (source-5). Mamdani's campaign focused on progressive issues such as affordable housing, free public transportation, and publicly owned grocery stores, resonating particularly with younger voters (source-4).

Analysis

The claim that Zohran Mamdani scored a shocking upset over Andrew Cuomo is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The New York Times reported that Mamdani's campaign electrified younger voters and tapped into widespread concerns about the city's affordability crisis, which contributed to his unexpected success (source-5). Additionally, Cuomo's concession speech confirmed the outcome, where he acknowledged Mamdani's victory and stated, "Tonight was Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s night" (source-4).

The significance of this upset is underscored by political analysts who described it as "the biggest upset in modern New York City history" (source-5). Mamdani's rise from a relatively unknown state assemblyman to a leading candidate for mayor illustrates a broader shift within the Democratic Party, reflecting a generational divide and a desire for new leadership (source-5).

While the final official results are pending due to the ranked-choice voting system used in New York City, the current data and Mamdani's lead suggest that he is in a strong position to secure the nomination (source-4). The outcome has been widely reported and accepted by various news outlets, further validating the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Zohran Mamdani scored a shocking upset over Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral primary is accurate. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that Mamdani won a decisive victory, leading to Cuomo's concession and marking a significant moment in New York City's political landscape.

Sources

1. Zohran Mamdani - Wikipedia
2. 5 Things to Know About Zohran Mamdani - The New York Times
3. New York City Mayoral Primary Election Results 2025
4. 'We Have Won,' Mamdani Says, as Cuomo Concedes N.Y.C. Mayoral Primary
5. Mamdani Stuns Cuomo in New York Mayoral Primary
6. Zohran Mamdani - Simple English Wikipedia
7. Who is New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani?
8. Zohran Mamdani stuns Andrew Cuomo in NYC mayor ...