Progressive voters in New York City are using a unique strategy to prevent former governor Andrew Cuomo from winning the Democratic mayoral primary.
This organized political resistance reflects the kind of strategic campaigning that has become common in modern elections, where voters coordinate to block candidates they oppose. Campaign finance data shows that voters have been donating to multiple left-leaning candidates since the early stages of the race.
According to Politico, the strategy aligns with the city’s ranked-choice voting system, which allows voters to rank up to five candidates in primary elections. This approach aims to boost progressive candidates while limiting second-place votes for Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams, who has since left the race to run as an independent.
A super-PAC opposing Cuomo has changed its slogan to ‘Don’t Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor,’ after Mayor Adams dropped out of the race. This type of organized political opposition mirrors tactics used in national campaigns, where groups mobilize to support or oppose specific candidates. This campaign reflects growing opposition to Cuomo among progressive voters, who cite his controversial COVID-19 nursing home directive and sexual harassment allegations as disqualifying factors.
Progressive donors focus on key neighborhoods
Analysis of campaign finance data reveals that 2,944 donors contributed to multiple candidates between January 2024 and June 2025, excluding donations to Cuomo and Adams. These multi-donors are mainly concentrated in progressive areas like Park Slope, Gowanus, and Prospect Heights in Brooklyn, as well as the Upper West Side and Morningside Heights in Manhattan.
And if Mamdani wins, the anti-Jewish rhetoric will be common and unchecked throughout NYC. The only one who can stop this is Cuomo. So why aren't Jewish people voting for Cuomo? Is it because he's not Jewish? Brad Lander has no chance of winning. Voting for Lander helps Mamdani.
— Susan Emmi (@SusanEmmi) June 23, 2025
City Comptroller Brad Lander received the highest number of multi-donor contributions at 1,654, followed by state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani with 1,296 contributions. State Senator Zellnor Myrie received 1,294 contributions, placing third among progressive candidates.
Despite this organized donor strategy, recent polls show Cuomo maintaining a strong lead in the primary race. The Marist survey indicates that Mamdani has emerged as the clear second choice, while Lander currently sits in third place.
The New York Working Families Party, which endorsed a ranked slate of candidates to oppose Cuomo, sees the multi-donor trend as a sign that voters are adapting to the ranked-choice voting system. However, the strategy faces challenges as some candidates, like City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, have resisted cross-endorsing other progressive candidates.
