Zohran Mamdani officially wins NYC Democratic mayoral nominee
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and first-generation Ugandan-American Muslim, secured 56 percent of the vote in the third round of the city's ranked-choice voting system, clearing the 50 percent threshold needed to win.
His victory sets the stage for a high-profile showdown in November against current Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking reelection as an independent following his indictment on corruption charges, a case that was later dropped by the Department of Justice.
'We've always believed our path to victory would come through ranked-choice voting,' Mamdani said in a video posted to social media. 'When we earned more votes in the first round than Eric Adams did across seven rounds in 2021, that was extraordinary.'
Mamdani's rise through the crowded primary field, which included former Governor Andrew Cuomo, has sent ripples through the Democratic establishment. Cuomo, a more moderate figure, earned 44 percent in the final tally and called Mamdani to concede after early results became clear. While he has not ruled out running as an independent, Cuomo has not made any formal announcement.
Mamdani's nomination is already drawing sharp criticism from Republicans. President Donald Trump labeled him a '100 percent Communist Lunatic' on Wednesday, while the GOP's congressional campaign arm vowed to tie Mamdani to vulnerable Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Despite the backlash, Mamdani struck a unifying tone. 'Our goal is to win people back to the Democratic Party,' he said, highlighting that his campaign resonated in several neighborhoods that had voted for Trump in the previous presidential election.
But tensions are already escalating. When asked how he would respond if Mamdani, as mayor, attempted to block federal immigration arrests, Trump bluntly told reporters, 'Well then, we'll have to arrest him. We don't need a communist in this country.'
Mamdani has previously condemned aggressive immigration raids, calling them a form of terrorizing communities and accusing enforcement agents of disregarding the law.
In the general election, Mamdani will also face Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, the radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels, as well as independent attorney Jim Walden. With Adams and possibly Cuomo running outside traditional party lines, the November race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable mayoral contests in the city's modern history.
This is the second citywide election conducted using ranked-choice voting, a system adopted in 2021 that allows voters to rank up to five candidates. The method, designed to broaden democratic participation, reallocates votes from the lowest-performing candidates until one surpasses the 50 percent mark.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Roya News
a day ago
- Roya News
Zohran Mamdani officially wins NYC Democratic mayoral nominee
New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has officially won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, the city's Board of Elections confirmed Tuesday. Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and first-generation Ugandan-American Muslim, secured 56 percent of the vote in the third round of the city's ranked-choice voting system, clearing the 50 percent threshold needed to win. His victory sets the stage for a high-profile showdown in November against current Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking reelection as an independent following his indictment on corruption charges, a case that was later dropped by the Department of Justice. 'We've always believed our path to victory would come through ranked-choice voting,' Mamdani said in a video posted to social media. 'When we earned more votes in the first round than Eric Adams did across seven rounds in 2021, that was extraordinary.' Mamdani's rise through the crowded primary field, which included former Governor Andrew Cuomo, has sent ripples through the Democratic establishment. Cuomo, a more moderate figure, earned 44 percent in the final tally and called Mamdani to concede after early results became clear. While he has not ruled out running as an independent, Cuomo has not made any formal announcement. Mamdani's nomination is already drawing sharp criticism from Republicans. President Donald Trump labeled him a '100 percent Communist Lunatic' on Wednesday, while the GOP's congressional campaign arm vowed to tie Mamdani to vulnerable Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms. Despite the backlash, Mamdani struck a unifying tone. 'Our goal is to win people back to the Democratic Party,' he said, highlighting that his campaign resonated in several neighborhoods that had voted for Trump in the previous presidential election. But tensions are already escalating. When asked how he would respond if Mamdani, as mayor, attempted to block federal immigration arrests, Trump bluntly told reporters, 'Well then, we'll have to arrest him. We don't need a communist in this country.' Mamdani has previously condemned aggressive immigration raids, calling them a form of terrorizing communities and accusing enforcement agents of disregarding the law. In the general election, Mamdani will also face Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, the radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels, as well as independent attorney Jim Walden. With Adams and possibly Cuomo running outside traditional party lines, the November race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable mayoral contests in the city's modern history. This is the second citywide election conducted using ranked-choice voting, a system adopted in 2021 that allows voters to rank up to five candidates. The method, designed to broaden democratic participation, reallocates votes from the lowest-performing candidates until one surpasses the 50 percent mark.
Roya News
a day ago
- Roya News
Trump: Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to head back to South Africa
A once-close alliance between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has unraveled into a public feud, with the world's richest man threatening to turn his fortune and influence against Trump's legislative agenda, and possibly the Republican Party itself. Musk, who served briefly as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during Trump's return to the White House earlier this year, has become a vocal critic of the president's flagship spending plan, the so-called 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' He now says he is considering launching a new political party to challenge Republicans who back the controversial measure. The bill, which proposes extending Trump-era tax cuts while slashing clean energy support and social programs, has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. But Musk's opposition has been particularly aggressive, warning that the legislation will balloon the national deficit and undermine the future of America's electric vehicle industry. 'All I'm asking is that we don't bankrupt America,' Musk posted on his X platform Tuesday, accusing Republican lawmakers of betraying their fiscal promises and supporting what he called 'debt slavery.' Trump lashes out Trump fired back sharply while touring a newly opened migrant detention facility in Florida, nicknamed 'Alligator Alcatraz' by critics, when asked whether he would consider deporting Musk, who has been a US citizen since 2002. 'We'll have to take a look,' he told reporters, in what appeared to be a not-so-veiled threat. Trump also hinted at targeting Musk's business interests, specifically the billions of dollars in federal contracts awarded to SpaceX and Starlink. 'We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,' he quipped. Later, speaking in Florida, Trump added, 'I don't think he should be playing that game with me.' In response, Musk posted on X, 'So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.' Still, the standoff had immediate consequences, Tesla shares dropped roughly 5 percent on Tuesday following Trump's comments. From allies to adversaries The rift marks a dramatic turnaround from earlier this year, when Musk and Trump were seemingly inseparable. The two appeared frequently together, often sporting MAGA hats, and Trump praised Tesla even as some criticized Musk's cost-cutting measures during his brief tenure at DOGE. But tensions exploded in May after Musk publicly opposed the spending bill and resigned from his government role. Since then, Musk has mounted a relentless campaign against the legislation, warning that it jeopardizes both America's fiscal future and its leadership in clean energy innovation. According to Musk, his falling out with Trump stemmed in part from the bill's removal of electric vehicle subsidies, something he claims was a retaliatory move. 'Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Monday.
Roya News
a day ago
- Roya News
Senate passes Trump's $3T 'One Big Beautiful Bill' act after 24-hour vote marathon
The Republican-dominated US Senate approved President Donald Trump's sweeping domestic policy bill on Tuesday, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," advancing legislation that would slash social spending, deepen the national debt, and extend Trump-era tax cuts by trillions of dollars. The bill passed by the slimmest possible margin, 50–50, after a record-setting 24-hour 'vote-a-rama' filled with heated debate and dozens of amendments. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote after Republican leadership managed to hold together their fragile coalition, persuading two wavering moderates at the last minute. The nearly 1,000-page legislation now heads back to the House of Representatives, where it faces firm Democratic resistance and skepticism from several Republicans concerned about the bill's deep cuts to programs like Medicaid and food assistance. At the center of the package is a USD 4.5 trillion extension of Trump's first-term tax cuts, partially offset by USD 1.2 trillion in savings, primarily from reductions to Medicaid, which independent analysts estimate could result in 12 million low-income and disabled Americans losing health coverage. The legislation also eliminates billions in clean energy tax credits while earmarking USD 350 billion for border security and funding for Trump's proposed mass deportation initiative. Speaking from Florida after touring new migrant detention facilities, Trump expressed confidence that the bill would soon become law. 'It's going to get in, it's going to pass, and we're going to be very happy,' he told reporters. Although the administration has set a July 4th goal for signing the bill, Trump acknowledged that deadline might slip. The bill is deeply unpopular among the public, with polling showing opposition across income brackets, age groups, and political affiliations. Democrats are aiming to capitalize on the public backlash ahead of the 2026 midterms, framing the legislation as a handout to the wealthy at the expense of the most vulnerable. 'It's bad legislation,' said Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona in an interview with MSNBC. 'If this passes, this is a political gift for Democrats.' Even some Republicans expressed discomfort over the bill's long-term fiscal impact. Estimates suggest it will add more than USD 3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. But the most vocal criticism has come from outside the Senate chamber, from none other than tech billionaire Elon Musk. Once a Trump ally, Musk has grown increasingly hostile toward the administration's spending priorities, especially the stripping of clean energy incentives. In recent days, Musk has ramped up his attacks, vowing to launch a new political party aimed at challenging lawmakers who, in his words, campaigned on fiscal restraint but voted to 'increase the biggest debt in history.' Musk, whose company SpaceX holds roughly USD 22 billion in government contracts, has been openly campaigning against the bill since stepping down from a White House advisory role in May. The feud escalated Tuesday when Trump fired back on social media. 'Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far,' Trump wrote. 'And without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.' Although the House has already passed its version of the bill, the Senate's changes mean it must return to the lower chamber for final approval. A vote could come as early as Wednesday. House Republicans now face the difficult task of reconciling the Senate's adjustments with internal party divisions. Members of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus are particularly angry, claiming the Senate version introduces an additional USD 651 billion in deficit spending. With their narrow majority, House Republicans can afford to lose no more than three votes. Still, House Speaker Mike Johnson struck a confident tone. 'We're going to pass this bill one way or the other,' he told reporters on Monday.
