NEW YORK − Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist state Assembly member, upset mainstream Democratic politics by defying expectations and taking a commanding lead in the June 24 New York City mayoral primary.
Just after midnight, he addressed supporters, saying he and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the moderate Democrat who was the frontrunner, need to bring the nation's largest city together.
"Tonight, we made history," Mamdani boasted to a celebrating crowd in Queens.
With 96% of the vote counted, Mamdani led Cuomo 44% to 36% in first place votes.
Less than two hours after polls closed on June 24, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, 67, had said he already called Mamdani to congratulate him on his historic campaign.
