Andrew Cuomo concedes NYC mayoral race, congratulates Mayor-elect Mamdani after polls closed

After a hard-fought election, Andrew Cuomo officially conceded the 2025 mayoral race Tuesday night, clearing the path for the likely next Mayor of the Big Apple, Zohran Mamdani. Cuomo’s concession came just before 11 p.m.

Cuomo, a former New York governor, made a heartfelt statement to supporters at his election night watch party in Manhattan. He thanked his team and volunteers for their dedication.

“I am blessed. I am blessed for the people in this room,” he said. “You have been phenomenal, great friends. You are superstars, even more, you are New York patriots.”

He passionately addressed the audience, explaining that his campaign brought together New Yorkers from all political backgrounds.

“It brought together Democrats, Republicans, and Independents on the fact that their first allegiance is as citizens of New York,” he said.

After a hard-fought election, Andrew Cuomo officially conceded the 2025 mayoral race Tuesday night, clearing the path for the likely next Mayor of the Big Apple, Zohran Mamdani. Cuomo’s concession came just before 11 p.m. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

Chris Cuomo consoles supporters at his brother Andrew Cuomo’s election night event following the former governor’s concession speech.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo comforts supporters at her father Andrew Cuomo’s election night event at the Zigfield BallroomPhoto by Lloyd Mitchell

The former governor, who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani in June, was compelled to run as an independent, highlighting the historic voter turnout and their desire to have their voices heard. At least 2 million people voted in NYC by Tuesday evening — the highest turnout for a mayoral election since 1969.

Cuomo reiterated the importance of the platforms and ideas he campaigned on throughout the year with hopes of winning the heated race, while jabbing Mandani without naming him.

“It is also important to note that almost half of New Yorkers did not vote to support a government agenda that makes promises that we know cannot be met,” Cuomo said. “We support an economy of jobs, of opportunity, of entrepreneurship. That’s what New York is, and that’s what New York must remain.”

He discussed maintaining law and order, the need for the NYPD, and the elimination of antisemitism, key points he highlighted during the campaign trail.

“We will not make the NYPD the enemy,” he said. “We cherish our diversity, and we have no tolerance for discrimination of any kind by race, religion, sexual orientation, or creed, and we will not tolerate any behavior that fans the flames of antisemitism.”

While he likely felt disappointment about losing the closely watched race, he congratulated Mamdani on his likely win, which brought resounding “boos” from the crowd.

After a year of debates, endorsements, political ads, and political jabs, the 2025 NYC mayoral race had been one of the most closely watched political contests in recent NYC history. While Cuomo gained momentum in the final few weeks before Election Day, it appeared that Mamdani was the one who came out victorious.

Chris Cuomo, brother of Andrew and a NewsNation anchor, declined to speak with reporters when he arrived at the election night party as it began to wind down. Prior to that, he was live on air as the final polling numbers came in, which confirmed Mamdani’s victory as the next mayor of NYC.

On air, Cuomo said his brother “is not what Democrats want right now in their party. And Democrats win in New York City. I mean, the one-line analysis is the Democrat was going to win in New York City.”

Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

David Rem made a pronounced entrance, waving this sign at Andrew Cuomo’s election night partyPhoto by Lloyd Mitchell

Guests began arriving at Cuomo’s election night party at the Zigfield Ballroom on West 54th St about a half-hour before polls closed. Among them was David Rem, a self-described MAGA Republican who had unsuccessfully sought his party’s nomination in June.

Rem, who has previously associated with controversial figures in local politics and drew national attention at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he waved a crucifix and called Vice President Kamala Harris the antichrist, spoke with amNewYork before the results were official.

“I’m not a politician. I’m a regular guy,” Rem said. Reflecting on his failed bid for the Republican nomination, he called New York’s GOP “a very dirty party.”

“Even if I had gotten the votes, they would have come and challenged the signatures with their lawyers to get me off the ballot. So I just threw my hands up and gave up,” the sanitation worker from Queens said.

Rem said he was glad that President Trump had endorsed Cuomo, even if the candidate himself had tried to downplay it.

“I feel perfectly fine with Donald Trump not endorsing Curtis Sliwa… Donald knows that Cuomo is the only one who can beat Mamdani,” Rem said, praising Cuomo’s experience and ability to govern. He added that Trump’s backing of Cuomo was “rightful,” framing it as a practical, issue-driven decision rather than a partisan one.

Rem accused Sliwa of not being a “real Republican” and doubled down on the widely asserted accusation during the campaign that the co-founder of the Guardian Angels was acting as a spoiler in the race. Unofficial election results show that if Sliwa’s votes had gone to Cuomo, the former governor would still have lost – though the margin would have been a lot tighter.

While waiting for Cuomo’s concession, he attempted to lead the crowd in a chant of “shame on Sliwa,” though the effort was quickly drowned out by Bonnie Tyler’s “I Need a Hero.”

Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

Swarmed by supporters as he left the building, Andrew Cuomo was greeted by well-wishers hoping it is not the end of his political career.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

As the room began to empty after Cuomo left the stage, Aliza Licht, a marketing expert and volunteer for his campaign, told this paper she admired Cuomo’s ability to rebound, hoping he does not stay out of politics for long. “What he’s done here tonight is made an amazing comeback from where he was. And now the question is, well, what does he want to do? Because I think he’s back,” she said.

She also issued a warning to the newly elected mayor. “I don’t think he knows what’s about to hit him. There’s going to be a lot of pushback, not only in this state, but federally,” Licht said, suggesting that the broad coalition of Cuomo supporters would keep Mamdani in check and predicting that President Donald Trump will make good on his repeated threats to NYC if they elected the Democratic Socialist.

“Sometimes cities have to learn a tough lesson,” she said. “This is what the city voted for. They’re about to find out what they got.”