Socialist Hero Zohran Mamdani Owes His Victory To Rich New Yorkers, Not The Working Class

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani received overwhelming support from many of New York’s wealthiest neighborhoods in Tuesday’s primary, while working-class voters earning under $50,000 rejected him by nearly 20 points in favor of ex-governor Andrew Cuomo — a margin that could increase.

Scandal-plagued ex-New York governor Andrew Cuomo called Mamdani on Tuesday night to congratulate the Syrian-born immigrant on his victory.

“Tonight was not our night,” Cuomo said. “Tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani’s night.”

Mandani emerged from the first round of New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary with roughly 44% of the vote, while Cuomo came in second with 36%.

According to election results published by the New York Times, Mamdani won counties with a median income of more than $117,000 by an average of 13 points, while Cuomo won counties with a median income below $62,000 by 13 points.

Genuinely extraordinary lol pic.twitter.com/6yDavujnUC

— Hunter???????????? (@StatisticUrban) June 25, 2025

Cuomo trounced Mamdani by nearly 20 points among black voters, while Mamdani won white voters by 5 points, Hispanic voters by 6, and Asian-Americans by 15.

Mamdani’s margin of victory in wealthier counties is likely to increase after several rounds of ranked-choice tabulation conclude throughout the week.

Given their close relationship throughout the campaign and similar policy platforms, votes from city Comptroller Brad Lander, who received 11% of first-round votes, will likely lean in his favor.

Many of New York’s most affluent neighborhoods went for Mamdani, including Cobble Hill (45% Mamdani, 16% Cuomo), Park Slope (45% Mamdani, 13% Cuomo), and Brooklyn Heights (36% Mamdani, 24% Cuomo). Lander also won several wealthy precincts in wealthy counties, according to the Times’ results.

Cuomo overwhelmingly won several working-class neighborhoods in the South Bronx and Eastern Brooklyn, winning Far Rockaway by a dominant 58 points, and Longwood by 27. Cuomo beat Mamdani in some wealthy neighborhoods, particularly in the Upper East Side and Tribeca.

Mamdani, throughout his campaign, advocated for defunding the police, rent control expansion, government-sponsored grocery stores, higher taxes, and $65 million in taxpayer-funded “gender-affirming” trans procedures for adults and children.

Mamdani’s proposals are projected to cost the already cash-strapped city more than $10 billion.

Mamdani’s victory follows his effective use of social media to promote his platform and strategic partnerships with other far-Left Democrats. His campaign capitalized on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) endorsement to build momentum ahead of the June 24 primary.

Andrew Cuomo declined to say if he would run in the November general election as an independent for the Fight and Deliver Party, which he formed for this race.

Should the ex-governor enter the race as an independent, that would make the race a five-person contest between Cuomo, Mamdani, incumbent Democrat Mayor Eric Adams (running as an independent), Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, a talk show host, and independent Jim Walden, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.