If you've been following the news lately, things in New York City have been—well, let’s go with "intense." We just came off one of the most chaotic election cycles in modern history. Honestly, it’s been a whirlwind. People keep asking who is running for mayor of New York City because the dust hasn't fully settled from the 2025 blowout, and the political landscape has basically been flipped on its head.
We aren't just talking about a standard election. We’re talking about an incumbent mayor withdrawing late in the game, a former governor trying for a massive comeback, and a socialist underdog actually pulling off the win.
The New Occupant of Gracie Mansion
As of early 2026, the question of who is running for mayor of New York City has a very definitive answer: Zohran Mamdani.
He didn't just run; he won. Mamdani, a Democratic State Assemblymember from Queens, took the oath of office after a historic November 2025 victory. He beat out a field that included heavyweights like Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. It was a shock to the system for the old-guard Democrats. He managed to pull together a coalition of young progressives and working-class voters that basically steamrolled the traditional political machinery.
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His platform was anything but quiet. He campaigned on a "Department of Community Safety" and a massive $1 billion mental health initiative. He’s already started moving on these, nominating Midori Valdivia to lead the TLC and making some big waves with his housing proposals. If you live in the five boroughs, you're likely already seeing the shift in tone from the previous administration.
The Challengers Who Kept it Interesting
You can't talk about who was in the running without mentioning Andrew Cuomo. That was the comeback story no one—or maybe everyone—expected. After losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani in June 2025, Cuomo didn't just go home. He launched the "Fight and Deliver" party.
Basically, he ran as an independent in the general election. He ended up with about 41% of the vote, which is huge for a third-party run, but it wasn't enough to beat Mamdani’s 51%. He carried Staten Island, but that was about it. It was a high-stakes gamble that ultimately proved there’s a ceiling for the Cuomo brand in the city right now.
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Then there’s Curtis Sliwa. The man in the red beret. He’s a fixture of NYC politics at this point. Running on the Republican and "Protect Animals" lines, he leaned hard into his "law and order" messaging. He wanted 7,000 more cops on the street. Even with an endorsement from Rudy Giuliani, he only pulled in about 7% of the total vote.
Why Eric Adams Dropped Out
It's sorta wild to remember that Eric Adams was supposed to be the frontrunner. But by September 2025, the walls were closing in. Between low polling numbers and a series of federal investigations into his administration, he officially pulled his independent candidacy on September 28, 2025.
He actually ended up endorsing Andrew Cuomo. Despite withdrawing, his name stayed on the ballot because he missed the deadline to be removed. He got a tiny fraction of the vote—about 0.3%. It was a pretty unceremonious end for an incumbent mayor.
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The Primary Field That Almost Was
The 2025 Democratic primary was a crowded house. You had:
- Brad Lander: The City Comptroller who was a favorite for many progressives. He came in third in the primary and eventually cross-endorsed Mamdani.
- Adrienne Adams: The City Council Speaker who put up a fight but couldn't get the momentum needed.
- Scott Stringer: A veteran of the game who tried to position himself as the "adult in the room" but finished with less than 2% of the primary vote.
- Jessica Ramos & Zellnor Myrie: Two State Senators who brought big ideas about housing and labor but were ultimately squeezed out by the Mamdani surge.
What Happens Now?
Since Mamdani is just beginning his term, the focus has shifted from who is running to who will run in the next cycle. New York politics never sleeps.
People are already whispering about whether Brad Lander will make another go of it or if Jessica Ramos is eyeing a 2029 run. There’s also the question of whether the Republican party can find a candidate who appeals to more than just the outer-borough base.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re trying to keep up with the new administration or want to be ready for the next time the "who is running" question pops up, here are three things to do:
- Follow the City Council: Most of the next mayoral candidates are sitting in those seats right now. Watch how they vote on Mamdani’s "Department of Community Safety."
- Check the Campaign Finance Board (CFB): NYC has some of the strictest and most transparent filing rules. If someone is planning a run for 2029, they’ll start raising money sooner than you think.
- Register for the 2026 Midterms: While the mayor is set, the state and federal races in 2026 will dictate how much power the city actually has in Albany and D.C.
The 2025 election changed the DNA of New York City government. Whether you love the new direction or you're already looking for the next challenger, staying informed is the only way to navigate the chaos of the five boroughs.