New York City politics just got weird. Like, really weird. If you’ve been following the news lately, you know that Zohran Mamdani—the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist from Astoria—is no longer just a "movement candidate." He’s the Mayor-elect. But the road to Gracie Mansion wasn't a lonely walk. It was a crowded, chaotic, and frankly historic brawl that changed how we think about the "Democratic establishment" in the five boroughs.
So, who did Mamdani actually run against to pull off this upset? Honestly, it depends on whether you're looking at the primary or the general election. It was a two-stage gauntlet that saw him take down a political dynasty and a red-beret-wearing Republican icon.
The Democratic Primary: A Giant-Slaying Moment
Before the general election, Mamdani had to survive the June 2025 Democratic primary. This was the real "main event" for most political junkies. For a long time, the person everyone assumed would win was Andrew Cuomo. Yeah, that Cuomo. The former Governor launched a massive political comeback attempt, positioning himself as the "seasoned executive" who could fix the city's post-Adams mess.
But Mamdani didn't just show up; he brought a different kind of energy. While Cuomo was leaning on old-school endorsements and a massive war chest, Mamdani was making TikToks about "halalflation" and walking the entire length of Manhattan to talk to voters.
The primary field was packed. Here is a look at the heavy hitters Mamdani had to outlast:
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- Andrew Cuomo: The frontrunner for most of the race. He ran on a "Fight and Deliver" platform but ultimately couldn't shake the progressive surge.
- Brad Lander: The City Comptroller. He was the "bridge" candidate between the establishment and the left, but he got squeezed out as the race polarized.
- Adrienne Adams: The City Council Speaker. She had deep roots in Southeast Queens but struggled to build a citywide "wow" factor.
- Jessica Ramos & Zellnor Myrie: Two state senators who brought a lot of policy depth but ultimately saw their lanes overtaken by Mamdani’s more aggressive affordability platform.
The primary used Ranked-Choice Voting, and that's where the magic happened. Mamdani didn't just win on the first count. He had to wait through three rounds of transfers. In the end, he beat Cuomo with 56.4% of the vote after Lander and other progressives were eliminated and their votes shifted his way. It was a total shocker.
The General Election: A Three-Way Firefight
You’d think after winning the Democratic primary in NYC, the hard part was over. Nope. 2025 was the year the "independent" run became a real thing.
Andrew Cuomo, refusing to go quietly into the night, launched an independent campaign under the "Fight and Deliver Party" line. He was joined by the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder who seems to run for mayor every time the sun rises.
Basically, the "Who will Mamdani run against?" question in the final stretch became a choice between three very different visions of New York:
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- Mamdani (Democrat/WFP): The socialist "affordability" guy. Rent freezes, free buses, and $30 minimum wage.
- Cuomo (Independent): The "law and order" centrist. He focused on competence and experience, backed by big names like Michael Bloomberg and, eventually, a withdrawing Eric Adams.
- Sliwa (Republican): The populist outsider. He wore the red beret, talked about crime and animal rights, and called Cuomo "Zohran lite."
It was a messy October. We had debates where Sliwa was throwing zingers and Cuomo was trying to act like the adult in the room, while Mamdani just kept talking about the price of rent.
What Happened to Eric Adams?
People forget that the incumbent, Eric Adams, was actually in the race for a while. He originally planned to run as an independent too, after skipping the Democratic primary. But his poll numbers were basically in the basement. On September 28, 2025, he officially pulled the plug and threw his support behind Cuomo. It didn't help much.
Why Mamdani Won (and the Others Didn't)
Mamdani’s win wasn't just about who he ran against; it was about how he ran. He focused on things that actually hit people’s wallets. While Cuomo was talking about "restoring the soul of the city," Mamdani was promising to freeze rent for 1 million rent-stabilized apartments.
He also tapped into a demographic that usually stays home. Young voters, immigrant communities in Queens and the Bronx, and people tired of the "status quo" showed up in droves. His campaign knocked on 3.1 million doors. That's not a typo. That’s a ground game that most candidates can only dream of.
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Cuomo, on the other hand, had a high floor but a low ceiling. People either loved him or really, really didn't. Sliwa had his loyal base, but in a city that is overwhelmingly blue, "Republican" is a hard brand to sell unless you're a billionaire or a celebrity.
The Road Ahead for Mayor Mamdani
Now that the dust has settled and Mamdani is actually in Gracie Mansion, the "running against" part is over, but the "fighting against" part is just starting. He’s already issued executive orders to crack down on bad landlords and has teamed up with Governor Kathy Hochul (in a very surprising alliance) to fund universal childcare for two-year-olds.
The real opposition now isn't on a ballot; it's in the bureaucracy. He has to prove that a "socialist" can actually make the subways run on time and keep the streets clean.
What you should do next to stay informed:
- Watch the Rent Guidelines Board: This is where Mamdani’s biggest promise—the rent freeze—will live or die. Keep an eye on his new appointments there.
- Track the "Department of Community Safety": Mamdani wants to move some responsibilities away from the NYPD. This will be the most contentious part of his first year.
- Check your bus route: The "Free Bus" pilot is expanding. Check the MTA’s updated 2026 schedule to see if your commute just got a whole lot cheaper.