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

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

What We Know

Zohran Mamdani is a member of the New York State Assembly and has announced his candidacy for the mayoral election in New York City scheduled for 2025. He is a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America. As of June 2025, he is considered the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor following the concession of former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary held on June 24, 2025 (Wikipedia, Simple English Wikipedia).

Mamdani's campaign has garnered significant support from progressive leaders such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, which has helped raise his profile in the race (Wikipedia, CNN). Reports indicate that Mamdani achieved a commanding lead over Cuomo in the primary, leading to Cuomo's concession (New York Times, New York Post).

Analysis

The claim that "Zohran Mamdani scores stunning upset over Andrew Cuomo in mayoral primary" is indeed accurate based on the results of the Democratic primary held on June 24, 2025. Multiple reputable sources confirm that Andrew Cuomo conceded to Mamdani, marking a significant political upset, given Cuomo's previous tenure as governor and his established political presence in New York (New York Times, NYP, The City).

However, it is important to note that while the term "stunning upset" is used in various reports, the context of the primary election should be considered. Mamdani's rise in the polls and the endorsements he received from prominent progressive figures suggest that he had built a strong campaign, which may mitigate the surprise element of his victory (CNN, New York Times).

The sources reporting on this event are credible, including major news outlets such as The New York Times and CNN, which are known for their journalistic standards. However, the framing of the event as a "stunning upset" may reflect a bias towards the unexpected nature of Mamdani's victory over a well-known political figure like Cuomo, rather than an outright dismissal of Mamdani's campaign efforts.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

While the claim that Zohran Mamdani scored a stunning upset over Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral primary is factually correct, the framing of the term "stunning upset" may not fully encapsulate the context of the primary election. Mamdani's campaign was bolstered by significant endorsements and a strong grassroots movement, which contributed to his victory. Therefore, while the outcome was indeed a significant political event, it may not be as surprising given the circumstances surrounding the election.

Sources

1. Zohran Mamdani - Wikipedia
2. Zohran Mamdani - Simple English Wikipedia
3. Mamdani Stuns Cuomo in New York Mayoral Primary
4. Andrew Cuomo concedes as Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayoral primary in stunning upset
5. Who is Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist running for …
6. New York mayoral primary results: Cuomo concedes to Zohran Mamdani
7. Mamdani Wins Stunning Upset in Democratic Primary as Cuomo Concedes