The historic upset kick-started a national conversation about whether the Democratic Party’s future should look more like Mamdani — an unapologetically progressive Muslim multicultural immigrant — or the scandal-scarred moderate he defeated.
It also marked a rebuke of major establishment Democrats — including former President Bill Clinton and former Mayor Mike Bloomberg – who cited Cuomo’s extensive government experience while endorsing his campaign, as well as the New York Times editorial board, which argued Mamdani’s agenda is “uniquely unsuited to the city’s challenges.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Brooklyn Democrat, praised Mamdani’s grassroots campaign in the hours following the state assemblymember’s big win. But both of them remained neutral in the primary race. And neither offered Mamdani a full-throated endorsement by Wednesday morning.
Instead, Hochul and Jeffries honed in on the central tenet of Mamdani’s campaign — making New York more affordable — without backing the proposals he’s put forward, like making MTA buses free and freezing the rent in stabilized units.
“I look forward to speaking with [Mamdani] in the days ahead about his ideas on how to ensure a safe, affordable and livable New York City,” Hochul said in a statement.
During an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Jeffries said it’s clear that Mamdani’s “relentless focus on affordability had great appeal all across the city of New York.” But he deflected when asked whether House Democratic candidates should adopt Mamdani’s ideology on the campaign trail.
Jeffries wrote on X he plans to meet Mamdani in Central Brooklyn “shortly.”
Another top New York Democrat, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, also remained neutral in the primary. On Wednesday, Schumer said on X that he spoke with Mamdani and planned on meeting with him soon.
“He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, and opportunity,” Schumer said.
Hochul is up for re-election in 2026. So are all members of the House of Representatives — an election that will determine whether Jeffries becomes speaker. And Republicans are already trying to tie them both to Mamdani, all while painting the mayoral candidate’s vocal criticism of Israel as antisemitic and blasting his platform as extreme.
“A radical, antisemitic socialist was just elected to be the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City — and Kathy Hochul didn’t lift a finger to stop it from happening,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, a Hudson Valley Republican deciding between a re-election bid and a gubernatorial run.
J.C. Polanco, associate professor at the University of Mount St. Vincent and a longtime political observer, said Mamdani’s win could help Republicans nationally.
“He automatically becomes the new boogeyman,” he said. “If you’re a Republican in a purple district, you have your new piñata.”
One Democratic Party leader who voiced support for Mamdani following his victory was Brooklyn Democratic Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who was one of Cuomo’s most-vocal supporters throughout his campaign.
Mamdani went on to defeat Cuomo by 17 percentage points in Brooklyn. And late Tuesday, Bichotte Hermelyn made clear she’s backing Mamdani in the general election.
For his part, Mamdani says he’s out to prove the coalition of supporters that lifted him to victory can get the job done.
“I’m excited to continue to grow that coalition as the Democratic nominee for this city’s mayoralty and to show that this is the coalition that will deliver on the most pressing crisis in this city, which is that of affordability,” he said Wednesday on WNYC’s “The Brian Lehrer Show.”
In his victory speech, Mamdani said he wanted the city under his leadership to be a “model for the Democratic Party.”
Includes reporting by Jimmy Vielkind.
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9 headlines
(1) With Zohran Mamdani on the verge of a historic victory as the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, here’s what’s next.
(2) Listen: Mamdani came on “The Brian Lehrer Show” after his big night. Listen here.
