Mark Prussin, Jeff Capellini
November 4, 2025 / CBS New York– Andrew Cuomo conceded to Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani in the historic New York City mayoral election on Tuesday, falling short of a political comeback after resigning as New York’s governor in 2021.
CBS News projected Mamdani’s victory about 30 minutes after polls closed at 9 p.m. Cuomo took the stage at his campaign headquarters shortly before 11 p.m.
“This campaign was the right fight to wage, and I am proud of what we did and what we did together,” Cuomo said during his concession speech. “This campaign was to contest the philosophies that are shaping the Democratic party, the future of this city, and the future of this country.”
With approximately 90% of the votes counted, Mamdani was ahead of Cuomo by about 181,000. Cuomo was running as an independent candidate and trailed Mamdani, the Democrat, in every poll.
The crowed cheered as Cuomo, 67, spoke about supporting the NYPD and condemning antisemitism. When he congratulated Mamdani on his victory, they began boo.
“No, that is not right and that is not us,” Cuomo told his supporters. “Tonight was their night and as they start to transition to government, we will all help any way we can because we need our New York City government to work.”
Cuomo also praised the race’s large turnout. According to the Board of Elections, more than 2 million New Yorkers voted in a mayor’s race for the first time since 1969.
Cuomo stepped down during his third term as governor following allegations of sexual harassment by nearly a dozen women, claims he has denied. He entered the race for mayor last March, declaring in a video announcement: “I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it. Experience matters. Leading New York City in the midst of a crisis is not the time or the place for on-the-job training.”
How did NYC mayor race results compare to polls?
Trailing considerably in most polls into the fall, Cuomo expected a boost when incumbent Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the race on Sept. 28 and gave the former governor his endorsement three weeks later. A week before the election, Cuomo also picked up the backing of former Gov. David Paterson.
On the eve of the election, President Trump issued an endorsement, saying, “Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him and hope he does a fantastic job.”
Once voting started, Cuomo likely benefited somewhat from many who did not see Republican Curtis Sliwa as a viable candidate. Cuomo repeatedly called Sliwa a spoiler; the polls continued to show Cuomo faring far better in a two-man race against Mamdani. Sliwa defiantly remained in the race despite his distant third-place polling.
One poll released a week before Election Day had Cuomo trailing Mamdani by 10 points and Sliwa with just 11% support, with another 7% undecided.
Cuomo also came out swinging on Oct. 22 during the second debate, when he hammered the 34-year-old Mamdani over his lack of experience. The former governor accused the Queens assemblyman of never having “accomplished anything,” and said, “I did things; you have never had a job. There is no reason to believe you have any merit or qualification for 8.5 million lives. You don’t know how to run a government.”
Cuomo went on to label Mamdani as unprepared to lead America’s biggest city, especially during times of crisis.
“You don’t know how to handle an emergency, and you literally never proposed a bill on anything that you’re not talking about in your campaign,” Cuomo said.
