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By Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant
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Andrew Cuomo drew his strongest support from native New Yorkers in Tuesday’s mayoral election, according to NBC News exit polling.
Voters born in the city backed Cuomo, running as an independent, over the democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani by a margin of 49 percent to 38 percent, while Mamdani dominated among newer residents who have lived in New York for less than 10 years, winning 81 percent of that group’s votes.
Among those who have lived in the city for more than a decade but were not born there, the race was closer, with Mamdani leading 55 percent to 40 percent, according to NBC News' poll.
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Why It Matters
The results suggest Cuomo’s appeal was rooted in long-established communities, while Mamdani found overwhelming support among younger and more recently arrived voters. As the dust settles from election day, commentators, strategists, and politicians alike will be picking apart voting demographics like this as both Republicans and Democrats figure out which people and policies to back heading into next year's midterms.
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NYC Mayoral Election Results: Mamdani's Win Fueled by Newer NYC Residents
The NBC News poll highlights a sharp generational and cultural divide in New York City’s electorate. Voters who have lived in the city for less than five years — just 7 percent of the electorate — overwhelmingly favored Mamdani, 85 percent to 14 percent, underscoring his strength among newcomers drawn to his progressive message.
Those in the city for five to 10 years showed similar enthusiasm, backing Mamdani 78 percent to 19 percent. But among long-term residents and native New Yorkers, Cuomo’s message of stability and experience resonated more strongly, giving him a decisive edge in the city’s outer boroughs and older neighborhoods.
Other result breakdowns from NBC showed Cuomo leading in Staten Island, while Mamdani outpaced his opponents in the other four boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
Why is Zohran Mamdani So Popular?
Analysts say the data reflect two competing visions of New York’s future: one shaped by recent arrivals energized by reform, and another grounded in long-time residents’ desire for familiarity and pragmatic leadership.
The results also highlight the ever-changing nature of New York City, which continually prompts questions about who can be considered a New Yorker.
As for Mamdani's popularity, his campaign focused on getting out into the various communities of NYC, as well as his messages on affordability, which appear to have brought this election home.
Despite concerns about the realism of deliverability - 44 percent of those polled by NBC still considered Mamdani's plans realistic, compared to 58 percent for Cuomo - the main issue for voters polled was affordability, at 55 percent. Mamdani had focused on the cost of living throughout his campaign, promising rent freezes and free childcare and buses.
What People Are Saying
John Mollenkopf, director of the Center for Urban Research at the City University of New York, told Newsweek: "I am not sure if it is newer residents or younger residents who are showing up here – I think the latter. Of course the categories may overlap, but many of the young people in Astoria or Ridgewood-Bushwick have grown up in their parents’ homes in more settled parts of the city. Usually they are among the least likely to participate electorally, but the Mamdani campaign really energized them."
Former New York Governor and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo, during his concession speech Tuesday night: "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. We want it to work for all New Yorkers because our city is the greatest city in the world."
Zohran Mamdani, during his victory speech Tuesday night: "New York, tonight you have delivered. A mandate for change. A mandate for a new kind of politics. A mandate for a city we can afford. And a mandate for a government that delivers exactly that."
What's Next
Mamdani will become Mayor of New York City on January 1, 2026.
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