Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, took a critical hit to his political fortunes. His mayoral campaign was unsuccessful, as he lost to current Grassroots mayor Zohran Mamdani. At 67 years old, however, Cuomo’s defeat was far from unexpected. He had trailed 20-30 points in the polls before the primary election. Despite the unfavorable outcome, Cuomo, in a dramatic display at his election night party held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, attempted to recast his loss as a success.
Against a backdrop of visceral anti-republicanism, Cuomo knew how to energize his base. In response, he self-assuredly proclaimed that he “ran a great campaign” and noted that over half of New Yorkers rejected Mamdani’s radical agenda. Though the campaign used particularly division-gratifying strategies in the campaign, he nevertheless framed his campaign as one of “unity.” In a race that was anything but.
Cuomo’s campaign faced severe backlash for accusations of racism and Islamophobia, particularly following an AI-generated advertisement that drew widespread condemnation for its portrayal of Mamdani using racist stereotypes. He repeatedly misread Mamdani’s political arguments. He called Mamdani an “extremist” and said that New York “cannot survive” with him at the helm. All of these comments were interrupted by audible boos from the crowd when he said the name Mamdani.
“No, that is not right, and that is not us,” – Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo’s election night celebration soured faster than anyone could have imagined. He was literally speechless as his supporters let their fury out when they learned Mamdani had won. His remarks about Mamdani included claims that he would “cheer” for another 9/11-style terrorist attack, which stirred controversy and further alienated potential voters.
Cuomo’s rhetoric indicated a belief that future governance under Mamdani would lead to a dangerous trajectory for New York City. He warned, “We are headed down a dangerous, dangerous road,” reflecting his view on the implications of Mamdani’s leadership. In sharp opposition, supporters of Mamdani cheered and wept with relief, optimism and promise.
Anthony T. Jones, a Mamdani supporter, expressed optimism about the new administration, stating, “I feel wonderful. I think hope is still alive.” This sentiment was shared by a number of observers who saw Mamdani’s victory as an opportunity for big, progressive change in the heavily blue city.
Tusha Diaz, another attendee at the event, expressed her anger and incredulity at the election results.
“I feel very disappointed. I’m just staring at the TV hoping that the numbers will change, just in disbelief.” – Tusha Diaz
Diaz had an opportunity to express her concerns about her grandchildren’s future under the new administration headed by Mamdani. She’s not quite sure yet how they plan to tackle what she calls “radical ideas.”
“I have two grandchildren. I don’t know what they’re gonna expect with this guy, you know, with all these radical ideas that he had. Will they be safe?” – Tusha Diaz
Cuomo’s controversial campaign tactics and his failure to connect with voters appear to have played a crucial role in his defeat. His attempts to frame the outcome as a victory were met with skepticism from many in attendance, who were visibly upset at the loss.
Despite the setbacks, Cuomo maintained that his campaign was about contesting the philosophies shaping both the Democratic Party and broader American politics. He sounded a call to push back against the radicalism that he believes has permeated local government.
“This campaign was to contest the philosophies that are shaping the Democratic Party, the future of this city and the future of this country,” – Andrew Cuomo
As the dust settles on this brutal electoral war. Next, we’ll all be watching to see how Cuomo and Mamdani choose their futures in New York State politics. Never has an election so completely transformed the terrain. Look for these changes at play in the city’s political landscape in the months to come.