Mamdani officially secures nomination for New York City mayor, World News
The ranked-choice voting results released on Tuesday showed Mamdani, who started his campaign as little-known New York state assembly member, clinched 56 per cent of votes in the third round of the voting, where over 50 per cent of votes are required for a winner.
As the Democratic nominee, Mamdani will face current mayor Eric Adams in the general election. Adams, who won as a Democrat in his first mayoral race in 2021, is running as an independent candidate after his indictment on corruption charges and the subsequent decision by the Department of Justice to drop the case.
In a new video on X, Mamdani compared his victory in the primary to the election campaign Adams had in 2021.
"We have always thought our victory would come after multiple rounds of ranked-choice voting. When we got more votes in the first round than Eric Adams got in the seven rounds in the last election, it was astonishing," he said.
An unexpected victory of 33-year-old Mamdani, a Uganda-born Muslim, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, over veteran politician Andrew Cuomo, a moderate, caused unease among Democrats, worried that his political views may make them a convenient target for Republican attacks.
The day after Mamdani's victory, President Donald Trump called him a "100 per cent Communist Lunatic" while the Republican party's congressional campaign arm promised to tie him to every vulnerable Democrat in next year's midterm elections.
In the new video, Mamdani said that his objective was "to win people back to the Democratic party" and noted that he prevailed in some of New York City neighborhoods that voted for Trump in the presidential election last year.
After the election board confirmed Mamdani's victory, Trump, asked how he would deal with Mamdani if he wins the election and tries to block arrests of immigrants, said:
"Well then, we'll have to arrest him. Look, we don't need a communist in this country. But if we have one I'm going to be watching over him very carefully on behalf of the nation."
Mamdani earlier said that the immigrant raids were "terrorising people" and agents who carry them out have no interest in following the law.
Cuomo, who received 44 per cent of votes in the final tally, called Mamdani to concede the race after early results of the primary were announced last Tuesday. The former governor could enter the race as an independent candidate, but he has not said publicly whether he will.
Along with Adams, Mamdani will face Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, a radio host best known as the founder of the Guardian Angels anti-crime patrol, and attorney Jim Walden, who is running as an independent.
The ranked-choice voting system that New York City adopted in 2021 allowed voters to rank up to five candidates in the order of preference. Ballots are tabulated in what may best be described as a series of instant runoffs, where the candidates who trail are gradually eliminated and their votes are re-distributed among frontrunners until one of them reaches 50 per cent.
[[nid:719298]]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
'Big Comrade': Former defence chief takes reins as Thai PM
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Former defence chief Phumtham Wechayachai had a previous stint as acting prime minister in 2024. BANGKOK - Thailand's former defence chief is set to be appointed acting prime minister on July 3, capping a colourful career for the political heavyweight once nicknamed 'Big Comrade'. Mr Phumtham Wechayachai earned his moniker over links in his youth to a 1970s student movement that rallied against the architect of a military coup, before their protests were violently crushed. He fled to the jungle where communist guerrillas were plotting uprisings against the nation's military, and recently he has been questioned over his associations. But the 71-year-old has successfully transitioned into the limelight from a business role in the empire of Mr Thaksin Shinawatra, the founding force of a dynasty which has dominated Thai politics for decades. Mr Phumtham has held the defence and commerce portfolios, and had a previous spell as acting prime minister after a crisis engulfed the top office last year. On July 3, he is due to be sworn in as deputy prime minister and interior minister – making him acting premier again, after Mr Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from her role . Suburban revolutionary Born in the suburbs of Bangkok, Mr Phumtham was nicknamed 'Auan', meaning 'Chubby', by his parents. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No train service across entire Bukit Panjang LRT line due to power fault Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG Credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore 17-year-old youth charged with trespassing on MRT tracks; to be remanded at IMH Business Microsoft cutting 9,000 jobs companywide in second major wave of layoffs this year Asia Malaysian nurses following the money abroad for more opportunities World Trump tax Bill stalled by Republican rebellion in Congress Opinion How Apple gave 'the gift of fire' to Chinese electronics firms He earned a political science degree from a top Thai university and joined the student movement that took to the streets in 1976, opposing the return of military dictator Thanom Kittikachorn. His childhood nickname belied his slim-faced appearance in a black-and-white photo of the protests, showing him brandishing speech papers with a microphone in hand. The uprising ended in a bloody crackdown known as the 'Thammasat Massacre' that killed at least 40 students and remains today one of the country's most notorious instances of protest bloodshed. Unofficial estimates suggest the death toll could have been as high as 500, because live ammunition was used to quell the unrest. Students from Thailand's elite universities fled into the jungle to join guerilla movements. When Mr Phumtham became defence minister last year, he faced a grilling by the conservative and pro-military establishment who accused him of being a card-carrying communist. 'I went to escape the violence,' he insisted. 'It was not only me, there were other students too.' Despite his protestations, his links to the movement earned him a second alias: 'Big Comrade'. Mr Phumtham's reputation has softened since his firebrand formative years, and he is now known as a composed and diplomatic operator. He will step into the acting prime minister role after the Constitutional Court suspended Ms Paetongtarn pending an ethics probe which could take months. In the brief interim between the court decision and Mr Phumtham being sworn in as part of a cabinet reshuffle, transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has been acting premier . Dynasty lieutenant Mr Phumtham's rise has mirrored that of Mr Thaksin, whose dynastic parties have been jousting with the country's pro-monarchy, pro-military establishment since the early 2000s. In the 1990s, Mr Phumtham was employed by the Thaksin-founded telecom giant Shin Corp, before entering politics full-time in 2001. He served as deputy secretary-general of the Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party, founded by Mr Thaksin, and was appointed deputy transport minister in 2005. After Mr Thaksin was ousted in a coup, the party was dissolved and Mr Phumtham was slapped with a five-year ban from politics. But the movement remained a potent force, with Mr Thaksin's sister and brother-in-law both having stints as prime minister. Ms Paetongtarn was appointed in August, with the backing of the family's Pheu Thai party. Mr Phumtham, considered Thaksin's confidant, appeared by Ms Paetongtarn's side as she gave her first press conference as leader. Although he will be stepping into her shoes, he has signalled he remains loyal to the Shinawatra dynasty and told journalists he believes she will 'survive the probe'. AFP
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Cambodian PM Hun Manet warns Thailand: Don't cross the line on disputed areas
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mr Hun Manet confirmed that Cambodia is awaiting discussions with the Thai authorities. CAMBODIA - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has issued a warning to Thailand, stating that any attempt to block Cambodian citizens from entering the disputed areas could lead to serious consequences. He emphasised that the Emerald Triangle, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch and Ta Krabei temples are still under dispute and are awaiting a ruling from the International Court of Justice. Therefore, no party has the sole authority to restrict access at their own discretion, he said, stressing that the status of these areas must remain as it was on June 7, 2025. 'Let me make it clear the areas of Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Tauch Temple, Ta Krabei Temple, and the Emerald Triangle are unresolved,' Mr Hun Manet said. 'We have submitted the matter to international judicial mechanisms. No party has the right to unilaterally block access to these areas. 'The status quo must be respected. Any attempt to restrict Cambodian citizens from entering would cross a red line and will be met with appropriate consequences.' Moreover, Mr Hun Manet confirmed that Cambodia is awaiting discussions with the Thai authorities, urging Thailand to unilaterally reopen the border crossing and restore the situation to the state it was on June 7, 2025. He added that if Thailand reopens its side of the border, Cambodia will follow suit within five hours to normalise operations. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No train service across entire Bukit Panjang LRT line due to power fault Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng World Trump tax Bill stalled by Republican rebellion in Congress Business Microsoft cutting 9,000 jobs companywide in second major wave of layoffs this year Asia Malaysian nurses following the money abroad for more opportunities Opinion How Apple gave 'the gift of fire' to Chinese electronics firms Asia US, India push for trade pact after Trump strikes deal with Vietnam: Sources Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LTA's active mobility enforcement officers advising cyclists to keep to their lane next to a newly converted 200m-long pedestrian-only path in Tampines on July 1. SINGAPORE – Officers will take a reasonable approach when enforcing the proper use of pedestrian-only paths, said Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng, reassuring cyclists that they will not be unfairly targeted and fined. In a Facebook post late on July 2, Mr Baey said the focus is on 'errant cyclists who speed or ride in a reckless manner on paths', putting others in danger. From July 1, cyclists and users of non-motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as kick scooters can be penalised for riding on designated pedestrian-only footpaths located in towns across Singapore. These paths, marked with the words 'pedestrians only', are meant for pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids (PMAs), such as electric wheelchairs. Cycling paths have been painted red. The demarcation of paths for pedestrians and cyclists 'provides more certainty' for users and allows them to better anticipate each other's movements, Mr Baey said. 'I understand cyclists are concerned about this change, and are worried about being targeted and fined,' he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No train service across entire Bukit Panjang LRT line due to power fault Asia US, India push for trade pact after Trump strikes deal with Vietnam: Sources World Trump tax Bill stalled by Republican rebellion in Congress Business Microsoft cutting 9,000 jobs companywide in second major wave of layoffs this year Opinion How Apple gave 'the gift of fire' to Chinese electronics firms Asia Malaysian nurses following the money abroad for more opportunities Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade World Iran's nuclear programme degraded by up to two years, Pentagon says He assured them that the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) active mobility enforcement officers (AMEOs) would 'consider the ground situation'. For example, a cyclist who has to momentarily ride on a pedestrian-only path to avoid an obstacle or to safely overtake slower-moving path users will not be penalised. 'But beyond rules, we need to cultivate a culture of gracious path sharing and protect the safety of the most vulnerable, especially with our ageing population,' Mr Baey said. Bicycles and non-motorised PMDs remain permitted on shared footpaths. More than 200km of footpaths next to cycling lanes have been turned into pedestrian-only paths since the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the initiative in August 2024. First-time offenders convicted of riding on a pedestrian-only path can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to three months, or both. Pedestrians who stray into cycling paths will not face these penalties, though they should keep to the pedestrian-only path for their own safety, LTA said. Speaking to reporters on July 1, Mr Baey said that while the AMEOs will give people 'benefit of the doubt', they cannot be too lenient. 'Otherwise, the law has no teeth,' he added, saying that a signal must be sent to those who repeatedly flout the rules.
