Democrats fret about national fallout after Mamdani stuns in New York City
June 25, 2025
The stunning success of Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, in the race for New York City mayor has exposed the fiery divisions plaguing the Democratic Party as it struggles to repair its brand. Mamdani appears on a glide path to the nomination after his leading opponent, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, conceded the Democratic primary. Ranked choice vote counting will determine the final outcome next week. Many progressives cheered the emergence of the young and charismatic Mamdani, whose candidacy caught on with viral campaign videos and a focus on the cost of living. But the party’s more pragmatic wing cast the outcome as a serious setback in their quest to broaden Democrats’ appeal.
