The 2025 mayoral race wasn't just another election. It was a total vibe shift for New York City. For decades, the keys to Gracie Mansion were held by a specific kind of "safe" moderate or a billionaire titan. Then 2025 happened. We saw a federal indictment, a governor trying to pull off the ultimate comeback, and a democratic socialist assemblyman who basically flipped the script on everyone.
Honestly, if you’d told a political consultant in 2023 that Zohran Mamdani—a guy who once went on a hunger strike for taxi drivers—would be the next mayor, they’d have laughed you out of the room. But that's exactly where we are.
The Wild Card: Zohran Mamdani and the Progressive Surge
Most people think of NYC as a deep-blue stronghold, but the city government has actually leaned fairly centrist for a long time. Mamdani changed that. Running on the New York City mayor candidates 2025 ticket as a Democrat and a member of the Working Families Party, he pulled off a massive upset in the June primary.
He didn't just win; he dominated the conversation. His platform was built on things that sounded radical but hit home for people struggling with the cost of living. We're talking about a 2% flat tax on millionaires and a total freeze on rent-stabilized apartments. People were tired of feeling priced out of their own neighborhoods, and Mamdani leaned into that frustration.
The math in the primary was pretty wild. After three rounds of ranked-choice voting, Mamdani walked away with 56.4% of the vote, leaving seasoned heavyweights like Scott Stringer and Brad Lander in the rearview mirror. It was the first time in years that the "progressive wing" didn't just put up a good fight—they actually took the trophy.
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The Resurrection That Wasn't: Andrew Cuomo’s "Fight and Deliver"
Then there’s Andrew Cuomo. Love him or hate him, you can't deny the man has staying power. After resigning in 2021, he decided 2025 was his year for redemption. He ran in the Democratic primary first, but when Mamdani beat him there, he didn't pack his bags.
Instead, he launched an independent campaign under the "Fight and Deliver" party line. It was a classic Cuomo move. He positioned himself as the "adult in the room," the guy who knew how to manage a crisis while Mamdani was "on-the-job training."
- Public Safety: Cuomo wanted to hire 5,000 new NYPD officers.
- The Trump Factor: In a weird twist, Donald Trump actually endorsed Cuomo. Cuomo rejected it immediately, but it showed just how much the race had scrambled traditional political lines.
- The Result: Despite getting over 900,000 votes in the general, Cuomo couldn't bridge the gap. He ended with roughly 41%, conceding on election night to a crowd that was... let's just say, not happy about it.
What Happened to Eric Adams?
It’s the question everyone asks. How does an incumbent mayor just... disappear from the race? It started with the federal indictment in late 2024. Charges of bribery and fraud basically paralyzed his administration.
Even though the Department of Justice eventually dropped the charges in early 2025, the political damage was done. His approval rating had tanked to around 26%. He tried to pivot, leaving the Democratic primary to run as an independent, but by September, he saw the writing on the wall. He withdrew, citing his inability to raise funds.
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It was a total collapse of the "Brooklyn machine."
The Other Names on the Ballot
You've also got to give credit to Curtis Sliwa. The Guardian Angels founder is basically a permanent fixture in NYC politics at this point. He ran as the Republican nominee again, staying true to his "tough on crime" roots. He ended up with about 7% of the vote. He called Cuomo "Zohran lite" and refused to drop out, even when big-money GOP donors begged him to clear the way for Cuomo to take on Mamdani one-on-one.
The Candidates Who Didn't Make the Cut
The primary field was crowded early on. People like Brad Lander (the City Comptroller) and Jessica Ramos (State Senator) had high hopes. Lander tried to frame himself as the "housing mayor," promising to build 500,000 new units. Ramos focused on child care and labor. But in the end, the oxygen in the room was sucked up by the Mamdani-Cuomo showdown.
Understanding the 2025 Results (Quick Breakdown)
| Candidate | Party | Main Platform | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zohran Mamdani | Democrat/WFP | Rent freezes, millionaire tax | Winner (50.9%) |
| Andrew Cuomo | Independent | NYPD expansion, experience | 41.4% |
| Curtis Sliwa | Republican | Public safety, Guardian Angels | 7.0% |
Why the Polls Were So Wrong (Again)
If you followed the news in early 2025, every poll said Cuomo was the frontrunner. Marist, Quinnipiac—they all had him ahead. So what changed?
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Turnout. Specifically, young voter turnout.
The 2025 election had the highest turnout since the 1993 Giuliani-Dinkins era. Mamdani tapped into a base of younger, disillusioned New Yorkers who usually skip local elections. When over 2.2 million people show up to vote in a city election, the "old guard" math stops working.
Actionable Insights for the New Era
So, what does a Mamdani administration actually mean for you? If you’re living in or doing business in NYC, here is what’s on the horizon:
- Rent Stability: Keep an eye on the Rent Guidelines Board. With a mayor who campaigned on a rent freeze, the days of 3% or 5% increases are likely over for a while.
- Public Transit: Mamdani’s "Fix the MTA" (Get NYC Moving) plan involves major state-level lobbying for more frequent subways and expanded fare-free pilot programs.
- The "Tax the Rich" Reality: If you're in that high-earner bracket, the proposed 2% tax on those making over $1 million is a serious policy goal. It still has to clear some hurdles, but the political will is there.
- Police Leadership: Mamdani already appointed Jessica Tisch as Police Commissioner, signaling a move toward data-driven, civilian-led oversight rather than the old-school "top-cop" mentality.
The city is changing. Whether you think it's heading toward a progressive utopia or a fiscal cliff, the era of the moderate machine is officially on pause. The best thing you can do now is stay engaged with your local community board and keep a close watch on the first 100 days of the new administration. This isn't your parents' New York City anymore.