The air on a craft brewery rooftop in Long Island City was thick with anticipation and excitement on June 24, 2025, as supporters gathered for New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s primary election night party. What started as anxious waiting quickly erupted into jubilant celebration as news broke: State Rep. Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, was poised to win the Democratic primary against the formidable 67-year-old titan, Andrew Cuomo, pending ranked-choice vote allocation.
The victory, seen by many as a political earthquake, sent shockwaves through New York politics. For actor and activist Kal Penn, a long-time family friend of Mamdani, the moment Cuomo’s concession was announced left him momentarily speechless. The crowd, however, was anything but silent, erupting in screams of disbelief, victory, and even schadenfreude as they witnessed the apparent defeat of the former governor.
An Unconventional Celebration
Mamdani’s election night gathering mirrored the grassroots energy of his campaign. Held on the roof deck of The Greats of Craft in Long Island City, Queens – a rapidly gentrifying area with Manhattan skyline views – the setting was more casual craft beer joint than traditional political headquarters. It was, as some noted, perhaps not designed for the hundreds of passionate, sweaty supporters who packed the space, lacking sufficient room, water, and air conditioning.
Despite the logistical quirks, the energy was palpable. Supporters mingled for hours near a podium adorned with a hand-painted “Afford to Live & Afford to Dream” banner, a core message of Mamdani’s platform.
A Coalition of the Left and Beyond
The diverse crowd reflected the broad, if unconventional, coalition that propelled Mamdani’s campaign. Familiar faces known for their opposition to Andrew Cuomo were present, including actress Cynthia Nixon, who ran against him for governor in 2018. Arriving with her wife, Nixon shared deep hugs with fellow supporters, joking about no longer having “Cuomo to fight.” She described the feeling of watching the results as overwhelming, a simultaneous mix of excitement for Mamdani and relief regarding Cuomo.
Also among the attendees were young progressive leaders shaping the future of the Democratic party. Chi Ossé, the queer city councilman from Brooklyn known for his viral political videos, was an early and enthusiastic Mamdani backer, seen in a tight circle with Nixon. Ella Emhoff, artist and stepdaughter of former Vice President Kamala Harris, added a touch of Brooklyn cool, sporting a Mamdani bandana.
City Comptroller Brad Lander, who had been an early progressive favorite in the mayoral race before becoming a key cross-endorsing validator for Mamdani, received the second-biggest cheers of the night. Speaking to CNN, Lander framed Mamdani’s appeal: “I don’t think the line is so much between progressives and moderates, it’s between fighters and fakers… What Zohran is showing is that it’s worth putting up big bold ideas for change, standing up and fighting for them, and that’s pretty hopeful.”
The celebration also drew national progressive figures like former Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who hoisted Kal Penn in a bear hug, and David Hogg, pleased that his PAC had endorsed Mamdani. Longtime Mamdani endorser, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, told the cheering crowd the campaign had “shocked the world.” Campaign manager Elle Bisgaard-Church highlighted the campaign’s identity, thanking the Democratic Socialists of America as the crowd chanted “DSA! DSA!”
Building the Tent for November
While the primary victory was a moment of intense celebration, conversations quickly turned to the general election challenge ahead. Mamdani will face the current Mayor Eric Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa, independent Jim Walden, and potentially Andrew Cuomo, who secured a separate ballot line.
Supporters acknowledged the need for Mamdani’s campaign to scale up its operations significantly for the citywide electorate. Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, stressed the need to build out the “tent” in a more aggressive way, suggesting potential improvements in organizing the campaign’s estimated 40,000 volunteers to reach millions more voters.
Despite the looming challenges, Mamdani and his supporters exuded confidence. Bowman quipped about potential wealthy opposition possibly even trying to recruit figures like Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson to run, highlighting the perceived threat Mamdani poses to moneyed interests. Mamdani himself, reflecting on the victory, called it “Incredible,” viewing his campaign as a model for the Democratic Party and the New York City he aspires to lead as a model for the country. The sweaty, passionate party was just the beginning of a new phase in the fight for New York City’s future.
