Posted June 23, 2025 | by KimS | in 2025 Elections, 2025 Trump Administration, DemDaily, Democratic Party, Labor, Mayors

DemDaily: Countdown to New York. Election Preview!

June 23, 2025

The highest-profile mayoral contest of 2025, in the country's largest city, will take place Tuesday when New Yorkers will elect their Democratic nominee for Mayor.

In the truly blue city, the winner of the Democratic Primary is presumed to be the eventual winner of the General Election. This year is no guarantee.

In the final stretch, the gap has narrowed among the field of 11 candidates in a very contentious fight to the finish.

It is the first time in over five decades that the incumbent -- currently Democrat turned Independent Mayor Eric Adams -- is seeking re-election without the nomination of either major party.

Background
Elected in 2021, Adams, who has an approval rating of 20%, was indicted on federal bribery, fraud, and conspiracy charges in September 2024.

After the November 2024 presidential election, Adams met with Donald Trump to discuss endorsing the president's immigration and crime policy. Two months later, Trump directed the Department of Justice to drop the charges against Adams, and on April 2, the case was dismissed.

On April 3, Adams announced he would run for reelection as an Independent instead of running in the Democratic primary -- ensuring he would be on the ballot in November.

The move upended the general election dynamics, setting the stage for a competitive multi-candidate race four-way race, including at least one Independent, a GOP candidate, a Democratic candidate, and, likely a Working Families Party (WFP) candidate.

Historically, the progressive, labor-centric WFP works closely with the Democratic Party and often endorses their nominee.

New York uses a Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) electoral system in which voters rank up to five candidates in order of their preference on their ballots. If no candidate wins 50%+ in the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The votes of the eliminated candidate are then reallocated to the second choice of the last-place finisher's voters. The process is repeated until a winner is declared from the final two.

New York uses a Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) electoral system in which voters rank up to five candidates in order of their preference on their ballots. If no candidate wins 50%+ in the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The votes of the eliminated candidate are then reallocated to the second choice of the last-place finisher's voters. The process is repeated until a winner is declared from the final two.

The Democratic Primary
Andrew Cuomo
Former President Bill Clinton endorsed front-runner and former three-term Governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday, saying, "I am confident Andrew can turn New York around, and I know he can effectively stand up to Trump." Cuomo served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in his administration.

Cuomo, 67, elected four times statewide, went on to serve as New York Attorney General (AG) before winning the governor's mansion in 2011 -- which he held until his resignation in August 2021 after New York AG Letitia James found him guilty of violating federal and state law by sexually harassing 11 women co-workers. Cuomo denied the allegations, but stepped down in the face of an impeachment investigation. James declined to file charges.

In his evolving comeback, Cuomo has racked up other high-profile endorsements, including former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former New York Governor David Paterson, and New York Congressmen Ritchie Torres, Greg Meeks, Adriano Espaillat, Tom Suozzi and George Latimer. US House Assistant Democratic Leader and Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus James Clyburn (D-SC), legislators, council members and clubs, and the New York Daily News editorial board, endorsed him.

Cuomo boasts strong support from Black and Latino leaders, and some of the city's largest labor unions -- including 32BJ, Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, 1199SEIU, American Federation of Teachers Local 2, and the Greater New York Building and Construction Trades Council.

Many of the elected officials, unions and organizations have endorsed more than one candidate, ranking them as their number one, two or three preference on a ballot.

Zohran Mamdani
Three-term Queens State Assemblyman and Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, who is the favorite of progressives, has gained momentum, energizing a grassroots movement that has put him a close second to Cuomo in the final weeks.

Mamdani has the endorsement of US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), former US Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, and New York Congresswomen Nydia Velázquez and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), who brings with her a massive national following.

Perhaps the most significant endorsement was that of The Working Families Party, which, on May 30, ranked Mamdani as #1 of four candidates.

AOC has called on voters not to rank Cuomo on their primary ballot in an attempt to freeze him out and elevate Mamdani or another progressive. The tactic is part of the DREAM: Don’t Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor movement launched by anti-Cuomo forces, with the participation of other candidates and supported by the WFP, in an effort to topple the former governor.

AOC has called on voters not to rank Cuomo on their primary ballot in an attempt to freeze him out and elevate Mamdani or another progressive. The tactic is part of the DREAM: Don’t Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor movement launched by anti-Cuomo forces, with the participation of other candidates and supported by the WFP, in an effort to topple the former governor.

In addition to multiple legislators, local officials and progressive organizations, Momdani is the top choice of labor unions including United Auto Workers Region 9A and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 161. The powerful AFSCME District Council 37 ranked him No. 2, and The Nation magazine gave him its No.1 nod.

Sparring and Super PACs
Mamdani, 33, who would be the city's first Muslim mayor, has faced accusations of antisemitism for refusing to denounce the phrase, "globalize the Intifada."

Cuomo, a pro-Israel moderate, has capitalized on the controversy, blanketing the airways with anti-Mamdani attack ads, including a $5.4 million buy last week. Cuomo also assails the Assemblyman's "limited experience in government," quipping in one debate, “Donald Trump would go through Mr. Mamdani like a hot knife through butter.”

Mamdani, who has decried the ads as responsible for threats on his life, has accused Cuomo of trying to buy the election, pointing to Bloomberg's $8.3 million contribution to the Cuomo-aligned "Fix the City" Super PAC, which counts high-dollar Trump donors among the more than $24 million raised.

Super PACs supporting Mamdani have spent $371,000 -- 2% of the $16,000 Fix the City has spent so far. The largest contribution to The Working Families Party Super PAC, which supports a slate of progressive candidates led by Mamdani, was $300,000 from Leaders We Deserve PAC, founded by gun safety activist David Hogg.

Trump's presence has loomed large in the primary, as each candidate claims to be the best qualified to take on the native New Yorker who has targeted his immigration crackdown on New York as a “sanctuary city,” and imposed federal funding cuts on institutions like Columbia University -- the site of mass demonstrations.

Trump's presence has loomed large in the primary, as each candidate claims to be the best qualified to take on the native New Yorker who has targeted his immigration crackdown on New York as a “sanctuary city,” and imposed federal funding cuts on institutions like Columbia University -- the site of mass demonstrations.

Brad Lander
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, among the leading contenders, drew national attention when he was manhandled, handcuffed and arrested June 17 by federal agents at a Lower Manhattan immigration courthouse. He was waiting in a hallway to escort a migrant out of the building to prevent his arrest by immigration authorities.

A "Brownstone Brooklyn progressive Democrat," Lander served on the New York City Council for 12 years before being elected Comptroller in 2021. As one of the city's watchdogs, he audits city agencies, and Lander and the more conservative Mayor Adams have clashed regularly over budget cuts and the immigration crisis.

Lander prides himself on getting "under Cuomo's skin," having also been the administrator who brought together the former Cuomo employees who accused him of sexual harassment. He also argues that he has already gone toe-to-toe with Trump, having successfully clawed back $80 million in federal funds "that Trump and Elon Musk stole from New York City’s bank account.”

Endorsements include New York Working Families Party (No. 2), Ocasio-Cortez (No. 3), Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (No. 1), and New York Attorney General Letitia James (No. 2), as well as numerous legislators, local officials and neighborhood clubs.

Among labor unions, he is supported by the United Auto Workers Region 9A (No. 2), Professional Staff Congress, UNITE HERE Local 100 (No. 3), and Teamsters Local 804 (No. 2).

Cross-Endorsing: Lander and Mandami have teamed up, saying in a video, "We know what we have to do to save our city from Andrew Cuomo. We're cross-endorsing one another," and asking voters to rank them as their top two choices. The strategy is relatively new as NYC just adopted ranked-choice voting in 2021.

Cross-Endorsing: Lander and Mandami have teamed up, saying in a video, "We know what we have to do to save our city from Andrew Cuomo. We're cross-endorsing one another," and asking voters to rank them as their top two choices. The strategy is relatively new as NYC just adopted ranked-choice voting in 2021.

Mamdani and former Assembly Member Michael Blake have also cross-endorsed each other. State Senator Jessica Ramos endorsed Cuomo last week, but the former governor did not return the favor. Former hedge fund executive Whitney Tilson said he would rank Cuomo No. 2 on his ballot.

Adrienne Adams
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is a highly respected, low-key moderate Democrat who some see as a compromise candidate.

Although consistently ranked #4 in polling, she has received first-place endorsements from top city officials and organizations. That includes AFSCME District Council 37, the city's largest union; State Attorney General Letitia James, a Cuomo nemesis; and Staten Island-based NY Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. Ocasio-Cortez ranked her No. 2 and Adams is No. 3 on the Working Families Party's rankings. Other unions include the Communication Workers of America Local 1180, UNITE HERE Local 100 (No. 1) and United Auto Workers Region 9A (ranked No. 5)

Adams has not hesitated to go after Cuomo on his policies and record, including his management of the pandemic, which she said hurt Black New Yorkers. Cuomo’s campaign counters such criticisms as “efforts to rewrite history.”

The Speaker has not co-endorsed with any of her primary competitors, keeping an arm's like from the joint plan. More controversially, she has also criticized Mamdani, both directly and indirectly.

The other Democratic primary contenders include former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, former Assemblyman and DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, State Senator Jessica Ramos and investor and Hedge Fund Manager Whitney Tilson.

The General Election Ballot
Unbeknownst to most, Cuomo and Mamdani are likely to be on the general election ballot, regardless of the outcome of the Democratic primary.

In May, Cuomo launched the "Fight and Deliver Party," a new Independent political party that ensures he will be on the ballot either way. saying it will be "a way for disillusioned Democrats, Republicans and independents to vote for him -- who would like an alternate way to do it."

According to a June 9-12, 2025 Marist poll, when calculating ranked choice voting round-by-round of likely Democratic primary voters (excluding undecided voters), Cuomo receives 43% to 31% for Mamdani in the first round, Lander follows with 8%. Adams was at 7%, Stringer 4%. Myrie (2%), Blake (2%), and Tilson (1%). In the 7th round of voting, Cuomo crosses the 50% threshold and receives 55% of likely Democratic primary voters and Mamdani places second with 45%.

According to a June 9-12, 2025 Marist poll, when calculating ranked choice voting round-by-round of likely Democratic primary voters (excluding undecided voters), Cuomo receives 43% to 31% for Mamdani in the first round, Lander follows with 8%. Adams was at 7%, Stringer 4%. Myrie (2%), Blake (2%), and Tilson (1%). In the 7th round of voting, Cuomo crosses the 50% threshold and receives 55% of likely Democratic primary voters and Mamdani places second with 45%.

If Mamdani does not survive the Democratic primary, the WFP is likely to endorse him on its own third-party ballot line.

In addition to Eric Adams, former Assistant US Attorney Jim Walden is running as an Independent, and 2021 GOP mayoral candidate Curtis Silwa is expected to again be the Republican nominee.

DemList will keep you informed.

Related: DemDaily: The case of Eric Adams 2/24/25

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