Mamdani's rise in NYC reflects generational fight within the Democratic Party

Andrew Cuomo, New York City mayoral candidate, left, and Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayoral candidate, shake hands during a mayoral debate in New York Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.

Newcomer Zohran Mamdani, age 34, has used social media and big progressive ideas to shoulder past Andrew Cuomo, who's 67 and long a member of Democratic Party royalty.

(Image credit: Angelina Katsanis)