Politics in New York City is never quiet, but the recent election cycle felt like a fever dream. If you've been trying to keep track of who are the nyc mayoral candidates, you know it wasn't just a simple list of names. It was a saga of indictments, surprise exits, and a political newcomer who eventually upended the establishment.
The race officially wrapped up on November 4, 2025, but the fallout is still the main topic at every bodega and board meeting across the five boroughs. Zohran Mamdani, a socialist state assemblyman, pulled off what many thought was impossible: he beat the Cuomo machine and a defiant Curtis Sliwa to become the first Muslim and South Asian mayor in the city’s history.
The Man Who Beat the Machine: Zohran Mamdani
Honestly, at the start of the year, Zohran Mamdani was a long shot. He’s young, he’s a Democratic Socialist, and his platform was radically different from anything City Hall had seen in decades. He campaigned on "free buses" and a city-wide rent freeze. It sounded like a progressive wish list to some, but to a city struggling with a brutal cost-of-living crisis, it hit home.
Mamdani didn't just win; he dominated the youth vote. His campaign was fueled by a massive surge in new registrations. By the time the June 2025 primary rolled around, he managed to secure 56.4% of the vote after three rounds of ranked-choice voting.
His primary victory was a huge upset against former Governor Andrew Cuomo. But the fight didn't end in June. Because New York is New York, the general election turned into a messy three-way battle that kept everyone on their toes until the very last ballot was counted.
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The Comeback That Wasn't: Andrew Cuomo
You can't talk about who are the nyc mayoral candidates without diving into the chaotic return of Andrew Cuomo. After resigning from the governorship in 2021, Cuomo spent years in the political wilderness. He jumped into the mayoral race in March 2025, betting that New Yorkers missed his "tough guy" brand of management.
Cuomo lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani, but he didn't quit. Instead, he stayed in the race on an independent line called the "Fight and Deliver Party." He even got a bizarre late-stage endorsement from Donald Trump—which he quickly rejected, though the damage with some liberal voters was already done.
His platform was the polar opposite of Mamdani’s:
- Increasing the police presence in the subways.
- Aggressive housing development focused on market-rate units.
- Scrapping some of the progressive reforms of the previous administration.
Despite a massive war chest and the backing of Michael Bloomberg, Cuomo finished with about 41.4% of the general election vote. He came close, but the city’s appetite for his style of leadership had clearly shifted.
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The Red Beret Remains: Curtis Sliwa
Then there’s Curtis Sliwa. The Guardian Angels founder is basically a permanent fixture in the NYC political scene at this point. Running as the Republican nominee, Sliwa did exactly what you’d expect: he wore his signature red beret, complained about "Zohran lite" (his nickname for Cuomo), and focused almost entirely on crime and animal welfare.
He didn't have much of a path to victory in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 7-to-1, but he still pulled in 7% of the vote. For Sliwa, it wasn't about winning the office; it was about being the loudest voice for the "law and order" crowd.
The Mayor Who Walked Away: Eric Adams
The most shocking part of the search for who are the nyc mayoral candidates was the absence of the incumbent. Eric Adams started the year planning to run for re-election. Then, the federal indictment happened.
In September 2024, Adams was hit with charges related to bribery and illegal foreign campaign donations. It was a mess. Even though the Justice Department eventually dropped the charges in early 2025 under the new administration, the political damage was total. His approval ratings bottomed out at 26%.
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Adams tried to pivot. He left the Democratic primary in April 2025, claiming he’d run as an independent. But by September 2025, facing terrible polling and a lack of campaign cash, he officially threw in the towel. He actually ended up endorsing Cuomo, which was one of the many "wait, what?" moments of the season.
Why the 2025 Race Was Different
This wasn't your standard NYC election. The turnout was the highest since 1993, hitting over 43%. People were genuinely fired up—or genuinely worried.
The field of candidates also included a lot of heavy hitters who got knocked out early in the primary. You had City Comptroller Brad Lander, who finished third in the primary, and State Senator Jessica Ramos, who eventually threw her support behind Cuomo. Even Scott Stringer made a play for a comeback but couldn't get the traction he needed.
Key Policy Dividers in the Election
- Public Safety: Mamdani proposed a Department of Community Safety staffed by mental health workers; Cuomo and Sliwa wanted more boots on the ground.
- Education: A major flashpoint was the "Gifted and Talented" program. Mamdani wants to phase it out to focus on universal childcare, while the other candidates fought to keep it.
- Housing: It came down to rent freezes (Mamdani) vs. supply-side building (Cuomo).
Moving Forward: What to Watch in NYC
Now that the dust has settled and Zohran Mamdani has taken the oath of office as of January 1, 2026, the city is in a transition phase. If you're following the aftermath of who are the nyc mayoral candidates, your next steps should be looking at how these campaign promises translate into policy.
Keep a close eye on the City Council's reaction to the "free bus" proposal. It’s the centerpiece of the new administration, but it requires massive state cooperation. Also, watch the relationship between the Mayor's office and the NYPD. With a Mayor who campaigned on "reimagining" safety, the friction is already palpable.
Stay updated by following local outlets like The City or City & State NY. They provide the granular detail on budget hearings that the national news usually misses. The election is over, but the actual work of running New York is just beginning.