Today, Explained – Episode Summary: "Five Boroughs. One Mayor. Mad Drama."
Release Date: June 18, 2025

Hosted by Noel King and featuring insights from Brian Lehrer, this episode delves deep into the tumultuous New York City Democratic mayoral primary. With nine candidates vying for the top spot, the race has particularly intensified between two frontrunners: Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo. The episode examines the complexities introduced by ranked choice voting, the candidates' contrasting backgrounds and policies, and the broader implications for the Democratic Party both locally and nationally.

1. Introduction to the Mayoral Primary

The episode opens with Noel King highlighting the crowded field of nine candidates in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary. He humorously critiques the city's "deranged ranked choice voting" system, which allows voters to rank up to five candidates. A notable incident mentioned early on is the arrest of candidate Brad Lander by ICE, setting a dramatic tone for the race.

Noel King [00:02]: "There are nine people credibly running in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary. The city's deranged ranked choice voting ensures every New Yorker gets to vote for five of them."

2. Spotlight on Frontrunners: Zohran Mamdani vs. Andrew Cuomo

Zohran Mamdani: The Young Progressive

Mamdani emerges as a youthful, progressive candidate inspired by figures like Bernie Sanders. At 33, he is a state assembly member from Queens with endorsements from prominent figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. His platform focuses on making NYC affordable through measures such as freezing rents, improving public transit, offering universal childcare, and funding these initiatives by taxing the wealthiest 1%.

Zohran Mamdani [04:06]: "I am running to be your next mayor to make this city affordable. I will do so by freezing the rent for more than 2 million rent stabilized tenants, by making the slowest buses in the country fast and free, and by delivering universal childcare."

Mamdani positions himself as a progressive Muslim immigrant committed to fighting for equitable policies without relying on billionaire donors, contrasting sharply with his opponent.

Zohran Mamdani [04:30]: "I am Donald Trump's worst nightmare as a progressive Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things that I believe in."

Andrew Cuomo: The Experienced Politician

Andrew Cuomo, the former Governor of New York, leverages his extensive political experience. Despite resigning in 2021 amid a sexual harassment scandal, Cuomo emphasizes his accomplishments, such as banning fracking, assault weapons, and legalizing gay marriage in New York. He campaigns on restoring order and addressing city-wide issues like homelessness and subway inefficiencies.

Andrew Cuomo [05:48]: "That's the power and the beauty of New York. The other states looked to New York for the progressive direction."

Cuomo's campaign also touches on his ability to stand up against national figures like Donald Trump, portraying himself as a unifying figure capable of navigating the city through troubled times.

3. The Role of Ranked Choice Voting

Ranked choice voting (RCV) is a central theme, depicted as both a tool for greater voter expression and a source of strategic complexity. RCV allows voters to rank up to five candidates, which can influence endorsements and alliances within the race.

Noel King [09:58]: "You have to block your main rival somehow. And I think it's this complexity that is causing it to be controversial."

A significant development was Mamdani’s cross-endorsement of Brad Lander, the third-place candidate, indicating strategic maneuvering within the RCV system to consolidate progressive votes against Cuomo.

Zohran Mamdani [10:47]: "Brad and I are officially telling our supporters, Rank number one, Zoran number two."

4. Key Issues and Debates

Policy Proposals

Mamdani and Cuomo propose differing solutions to NYC's challenges. While Mamdani advocates for expansive social programs and economic reforms to enhance affordability, Cuomo emphasizes law and order, infrastructure improvements, and leveraging his experience to restore stability.

Andrew Cuomo [06:14]: "Today, our New York City is in trouble. You feel it when you walk down the street and try not to make eye contact with a mentally ill homeless person..."

Scandals and Backgrounds

Cuomo's past scandals, including his resignation over sexual misconduct allegations, are a focal point of Mamdani’s campaign rhetoric. Mamdani contrasts his unblemished record with Cuomo’s troubled history.

Zohran Mamdani [07:37]: "I have never had to resign in disgrace. I have never cut Medicaid. I have never stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from the MTA..."

Stances on Israel and Gaza

The candidates also address international issues, particularly the Israel-Gaza conflict. Mamdani adopts a stance aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, advocating for Israel to be a pluralistic democracy with equal rights for all, which contrasts with Cuomo's unambiguously supportive position towards Israel as a Jewish state.

Zohran Mamdani [08:37]: "I believe Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state, as a state with equal rights."

Andrew Cuomo [08:43]: "I believe Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state."

5. Strategic Endorsements and Party Dynamics

The episode explores the strategic alliances within the RCV framework, highlighting Mamdani's endorsement of Brad Lander to consolidate the progressive vote against Cuomo. Additionally, Cuomo’s decision to form a third party, the Fight and Deliver Party, ensures his presence on the ballot regardless of the primary outcome. The Working Families Party's potential nomination of Mamdani if Cuomo secures the Democratic nomination further illustrates the intricate party dynamics at play.

Noel King [13:08]: "Governor Cuomo... is forming a third party, the Fight and Deliver Party, so he can be on the ballot whether or not he wins a Democratic primary."

6. Implications for the Democratic Party and National Politics

Brian Lehrer draws parallels between the NYC mayoral race and broader national Democratic Party trends, questioning whether the party should embrace the youthful, social media-savvy energy exemplified by Mamdani or stick with the established, experienced figures like Cuomo.

Brian Lehrer [16:22]: "Is it fair to map New York's mayor's race onto national politics? I mean, it is and it isn't..."

The conversation touches upon the Democratic Party's struggles in recent elections, particularly the surprising trend of voters supporting down-ballot Democrats while also voting for Republican presidential candidates like Donald Trump.

Noel King [16:22]: "A number of voters cast their ballot for both Trump and one of the House's most progressive Democrats, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez."

7. Voter Behavior and Trends

The episode examines shifting voter behaviors, including the rise of young, college-educated voters supporting Mamdani, while Cuomo maintains strength among working-class demographics. Additionally, there is concern over Democrats losing ground in traditionally strong areas like the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

Brian Lehrer [17:07]: "Mamdani, like, he sort of rose in this race really by social media and by some eye-popping ads. I think that really caught the public's attention and imagination."

8. Conclusions and Future Prospects

As the primary progresses, both Mamdani and Cuomo may appear on the general election ballot, each supported by various party lines. Lehrer posits that the outcome will significantly influence the Democratic Party's direction, either leaning towards youthful dynamism and social media engagement or maintaining its traditional, experience-based approach.

Brian Lehrer [21:13]: "Whether or not the party is going to like skew younger, embrace social media, embrace kind of virality and embrace the enthusiasm of the young, or whether or not it's a kind of more like brute force march to the middle to win over voters who maybe Trump curious..."

The episode concludes with reflections on the mayoral race as a microcosm of larger political shifts, emphasizing the critical nature of upcoming elections in shaping the Democratic Party's future trajectory.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Noel King [00:02]: "There are nine people credibly running in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary. The city's deranged ranked choice voting ensures every New Yorker gets to vote for five of them."

• Zohran Mamdani [04:06]: "I am running to be your next mayor to make this city affordable..."

• Andrew Cuomo [05:48]: "That's the power and the beauty of New York. The other states looked to New York for the progressive direction."

• Zohran Mamdani [07:37]: "I have never had to resign in disgrace..."

• Brian Lehrer [16:22]: "Is it fair to map New York's mayor's race onto national politics? I mean, it is and it isn't..."

Conclusion

This episode of Today, Explained provides an insightful analysis of the high-stakes New York City mayoral primary, highlighting the clash between youthful progressivism and seasoned political experience. Through detailed discussions on ranked choice voting, candidate profiles, and the interplay with national politics, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping one of the most closely watched races in urban America.