Mamdani confirmed as Democratic candidate for NY mayor

NEW YORK, July 02 (AFP): Rising star of the American left Zohran Mamdani is now officially the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, according to official primary election results released Tuesday.

The 33-year-old self-declared democratic socialist defeated his nearest rival by a strong margin, winning 56 percent to former New York governor Andrew Cuomo's 44 percent in the third round of vote counting.

With neither candidate winning a majority in the June 25 primary, election officials eliminated lower-ranking candidates and recounted under the ranked-choice voting process.

But after Mamdani earned 43 percent outright, Cuomo-aiming for a comeback after a sex scandal-did not wait for the full results and conceded defeat the night of the vote, a stunning outcome for Democrats.

Staunchly pro-Israel Cuomo led in polls for most of the race, with massive name recognition and support from powerful centrist figures including former president Bill Clinton.