Mamdani leads vote count in NYC mayoral primary

New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a harsh critic of Israel, is ahead as voting begins in New York City’s Democratic party mayoral primary.

Mamdani has about 44% of first-choice votes in the city’s ranked-choice voting system that allows voters to select up to five candidates in order of preference.

Former New York State governor Andrew Cuomo is in second place with 36%, according to the Associated Press.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander trails Cuomo with 11%.

The vote count includes early voters, which were expected to favor Mamdani. Around 77% of votes have been counted. Polls closed less than an hour ago.

The early tally also does not factor in ranked-choice voting. If no candidate secures more than 50% of first-choice votes, ranked-choice votes come into play. The counting for that process could take a week.

Mamdani alarmed many Jewish voters with his harsh criticism of Israel. He has identified as an anti-Zionist, repeatedly accused Israel of genocide, backs the boycott movement targeting Israel, and defended the phrase “Globalize the intifada.” Mamdani is a member of the far-left Democratic Socialists of America.

Cuomo, a centrist, is a staunch Israel supporter who leaned into his pro-Israel bona fides and ties to the community during the campaign.

The Democratic party primary typically determines the winner of the general election in the mostly Democratic city, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel.