In the Democratic primary held on the 24th (local time) in New York, a state representative in her 30s defeated a prominent political figure who is a three-term former governor and was selected as the Democratic candidate. Given that New York is considered a 'Democratic stronghold,' the Democratic candidate has a high likelihood of winning in the upcoming November general election against the Republican candidate.
According to the Associated Press and others, among the 11 candidates vying for the Democratic primary, state representative Jorann Mamdani (34) significantly outpaced former Governor Andrew Cuomo (68). The voting process in New York City is complicated, making it difficult to predict the winner until the counting is finished; however, Rep. Mamdani solidified her lead with a large margin, determining the outcome early.
During her victory speech that night, Rep. Mamdani said, 'Cuomo called to concede his defeat,' adding, 'We made history today.'
Her opponent, former Governor Cuomo, served three terms as a Democrat in New York and is considered a heavyweight politician, often mentioned as a candidate for Attorney General after the election of former President Joe Biden. However, he was embroiled in a scandal during his governorship in 2021, where he was accused of sexually harassing over ten women, leading to his resignation, and he has recently been trying to make a political comeback.
Born in 1991, Rep. Mamdani was born in Uganda and moved to New York at the age of seven with her father, a professor at Columbia University, and her mother, a filmmaker. Both of her parents are of Indian descent. She entered politics by being elected as a state representative in New York in 2020.
She is proposing policies like free public buses, universal childcare, and rent freezes for tenants. Many of her policies appear to be typical populist measures, making her a target of criticism not only from conservatives but also from progressives. During her college years, she founded a student group for 'justice for Palestine,' indicating her pro-Palestinian stance.
If Rep. Mamdani wins the final election in November, she will become the first Muslim mayor of New York City. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is also running in the general election. Mayor Adams, who was elected as a Democrat, has stated his intention to challenge for re-election as an independent.