Introduction: 2025 and 2021 NYC Mayoral Election Comparison
Every election in New York City tells a story — not just of candidates and numbers, but of shifting values, priorities, and the city’s identity itself. The 2021 and 2025 NYC mayoral elections mark two distinctly different political moments in the city’s modern history.
In 2021, Eric Adams, a moderate Democrat and former police officer, took office promising balance, order, and recovery after the pandemic’s economic and social turmoil. Four years later, in 2025, a new face — Zohran Mamdani — rode a wave of progressive energy to City Hall, defeating both an independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
These two elections — only four years apart — reveal a sharp political evolution. This in-depth comparison examines how New York’s electorate changed, what issues defined each race, and what the results mean for the city’s future.
Overview of 2025 and 2021 NYC Mayoral Election Comparison
| Year | Winner | Party | Runner-Up | Total Turnout | Key Election Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Eric Adams | Democratic | Curtis Sliwa (Republican) | ~1.15 million | Public safety, pandemic recovery, jobs |
| 2025 | Zohran Mamdani | Democratic (Progressive) | Andrew Cuomo (Independent) | ~2.0 million+ | Housing, inequality, progressive reform |
The two elections are strikingly different. In 2021, voter participation was modest, dominated by older, moderate, and center-left New Yorkers. By 2025, turnout had surged — energized by youth participation, economic frustration, and a national focus on progressive politics.
2021 NYC Mayoral Election: Context and Key Takeaways
The 2021 race came at a delicate time for New York. The city was emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, crime rates were in public debate, and many voters wanted stability more than sweeping reform.
Major Candidates (2021)
- Eric Adams (Democratic Party) — Former NYPD captain, Brooklyn Borough President. Ran on a platform of restoring safety, reviving the economy, and maintaining balance between progress and order.
- Curtis Sliwa (Republican Party) — Founder of the Guardian Angels, positioned himself as a populist conservative critic of Democratic governance.
- Other candidates — Minor party candidates and independents, none of whom crossed 3% of the vote.
Results (2021 General Election)
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Adams | Democratic | 753,801 | 66.9% |
| Curtis Sliwa | Republican | 312,385 | 27.8% |
| Others | Various | ~83,000 | ~5.3% |
| Total Turnout | — | ~1.15 million | 100% |
Adams’ victory was decisive. His law-and-order message resonated across working-class and moderate neighborhoods, while Republicans struggled to expand beyond their traditional base.
Why Eric Adams Won
Adams represented a return to pragmatic leadership. New Yorkers, weary from pandemic uncertainty, chose familiarity and moderation over ideological experimentation. His personal story — from NYPD officer to Brooklyn Borough President — gave him credibility with both Black and Latino voters, and his campaign built a broad urban coalition across boroughs.
However, voter enthusiasm was muted. Only about 23% of registered voters participated — one of the lowest mayoral turnouts in decades.
2025 NYC Mayoral Election: A New Wave
Four years later, the city had changed — economically, culturally, and politically. Housing costs had soared, inequality deepened, and disillusionment with establishment politics ran high.
The 2025 election became a battle between three powerful personalities:
- Zohran Mamdani (Democratic Party – Progressive)
- Andrew Cuomo (Independent)
- Curtis Sliwa (Republican Party)
Mamdani, a State Assembly member from Queens, became the face of New York’s new progressive movement. His platform focused on housing justice, rent freezes, transit affordability, and wealth redistribution — themes that resonated with a younger, urban electorate.
Read Also:-Zohran Mamdani NY: The Bold Rise of NYC’s Progressive Hope
Results (2025 General Election)
| Candidate | Party | Votes (approx.) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zohran Mamdani | Democratic (Progressive) | ~1,020,000 | 50% |
| Andrew Cuomo | Independent | ~860,000 | 42% |
| Curtis Sliwa | Republican | ~140,000 | 7% |
| Others | — | Small total | 1% |
| Total Turnout | — | ~2.04 million | 100% |
The results were historic — not just for Mamdani’s win, but for the turnout surge. Participation nearly doubled from 2021, signaling a re-energized electorate.
Comparing Voter Turnout: 2021 vs 2025
| Year | Registered Voters | Ballots Cast | Turnout Rate | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ~4.9 million | ~1.15 million | 23% | Post-pandemic fatigue, low interest |
| 2025 | ~5.0 million | ~2.04 million | 41% | Youth mobilization, ideological polarization |
Why Turnout Jumped in 2025
- Increased national attention — Progressive candidates drew widespread media coverage.
- Digital mobilization — Campaigns used social media, influencers, and neighborhood networks.
- Economic discontent — Rising rents, inequality, and unemployment pushed more New Yorkers to vote.
- Charismatic figures — Mamdani and Cuomo’s face-off created excitement and polarization.
The 2025 election was one of NYC’s highest-turnout local races in over 30 years.
Political Climate: 2021 vs 2025
| Topic | 2021 Mood | 2025 Mood |
|---|---|---|
| Public Safety | Fear of rising crime; Adams promised stability | Lower concern; housing and inequality became top issues |
| Economic Focus | Jobs, small business recovery post-COVID | Affordability, wages, taxation fairness |
| Voter Age Demographics | Older, moderate, lower turnout | Younger, more progressive, higher turnout |
| Party Unity | Democrats largely united | Democrats divided between establishment and progressive wings |
| Public Sentiment | Pragmatic optimism | Activist-driven urgency for reform |
In short, 2021 was about rebuilding — 2025 was about reimagining.
Candidate Profiles: From Moderation to Movement
Eric Adams (2021 Winner)
A former NYPD captain, Adams represented the traditional Democratic establishment — pragmatic, business-friendly, and focused on safety. His messaging connected with moderate Black voters and outer-borough families seeking post-pandemic stability.
Zohran Mamdani (2025 Winner)
A first-generation American of Ugandan-Indian descent, Mamdani brought an entirely different energy. His candidacy blended progressive economics with community organizing, advocating for renters, transit users, and low-income families.
Andrew Cuomo (2025 Runner-Up)
After his resignation as governor in 2021, Cuomo’s political comeback as an independent in 2025 was both dramatic and divisive. He attracted moderate Democrats and older voters but struggled to shake off controversies from his gubernatorial years.
Curtis Sliwa (Republican Candidate in Both Years)
The founder of the Guardian Angels remained consistent — fiery, conservative, and populist — but in both 2021 and 2025, the GOP base in NYC proved too small to compete in a Democratic stronghold.
The Role of Ranked-Choice Voting
In 2021, ranked-choice voting (RCV) debuted in the Democratic primary, transforming how candidates campaigned. Eric Adams emerged victorious after multiple rounds of vote redistribution.
By 2025, voters were accustomed to RCV in primaries, but the general election remained first-past-the-post. Mamdani’s campaign benefited from a consolidated progressive base, while Cuomo’s split the centrist vote — a dynamic that might have yielded a different result under ranked-choice general voting.
Geographic Voting Patterns
| Borough | 2021 Dominant Candidate | 2025 Dominant Candidate | Political Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | Adams | Mamdani | Leftward shift toward progressives |
| Brooklyn | Adams | Mamdani | Remained Democratic, younger turnout surge |
| Queens | Adams | Mamdani | Progressive strength in immigrant communities |
| Bronx | Adams | Mamdani | Continued Democratic loyalty, higher youth vote |
| Staten Island | Sliwa | Sliwa | Only borough remaining Republican stronghold |
In 2025, turnout in traditionally low-voting districts of Queens and the Bronx jumped sharply — key to Mamdani’s win. Manhattan, once a battleground of moderates, swung decisively left.
The Money Factor: Campaign Spending
| Year | Candidate | Estimated Spending (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Eric Adams | ~$9 million | Supported by unions and local businesses |
| 2021 | Curtis Sliwa | ~$2 million | Grassroots conservative campaign |
| 2025 | Zohran Mamdani | ~$11 million | Fueled by small donors, progressive PACs |
| 2025 | Andrew Cuomo | ~$15 million | Self-funded and backed by wealthy donors |
Cuomo outspent Mamdani, but money couldn’t overcome enthusiasm. Mamdani’s grassroots campaign and digital strategy achieved more voter engagement per dollar than any NYC campaign in the decade.
Issue Priorities: Then vs Now
| Policy Area | 2021 Focus | 2025 Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Crime & Policing | Crime prevention, NYPD funding | Police reform, community safety models |
| Economy | Small business recovery | Wealth redistribution, job guarantees |
| Housing | Affordable housing expansion | Rent freezes, public housing investment |
| Climate | Limited coverage | Central pillar of progressive agenda |
| Transportation | Post-COVID recovery | Fare-free MTA, expansion of cycling and bus lanes |
The city’s concerns evolved dramatically. What began as fear-driven recovery politics in 2021 became values-driven reform politics by 2025.
Voter Demographics: Changing Face of the Electorate
| Demographic Group | 2021 Leading Support | 2025 Leading Support | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–34 years | Low turnout | High turnout (progressive majority) | +15% participation |
| 35–54 years | Split | Leaned Mamdani | Moderate engagement |
| 55+ years | Adams dominance | Cuomo majority | Stable conservative lean |
| Black voters | Adams | Mixed (Mamdani slight edge) | Small shift left |
| Latino voters | Adams | Mamdani | Strong progressive swing |
| Asian-American voters | Divided | Increased participation, issue-driven | Growing influence |
The 2025 race marked the emergence of younger, multi-ethnic voters as the defining force in NYC politics — a generational and ideological shift with long-term implications.
Campaign Strategy and Media Impact
In 2021, campaign media relied heavily on television ads, union endorsements, and physical rallies. By contrast, in 2025, social media micro-campaigning dominated.
Mamdani’s campaign used:
- TikTok and Instagram videos showcasing local issues.
- Volunteer-driven canvassing networks coordinated digitally.
- Small-donation crowdfunding rather than traditional PAC funding.
Cuomo’s traditional ad-heavy strategy appeared outdated in comparison. His campaign drew attention but lacked emotional connection with younger audiences.
Public Reaction and Post-Election Analysis
The 2021 election brought relief to many residents seeking stability, but the years that followed exposed deeper inequalities and frustrations. As housing affordability worsened and climate issues intensified, voters in 2025 demanded more transformative solutions.
Mamdani’s win represented not just a political victory, but a social shift — the city’s cultural alignment moved leftward, redefining the Democratic Party’s base in America’s largest urban center.
Lessons from the Two Elections
- Turnout decides ideology: Low turnout benefits moderates; high turnout empowers movements.
- Media strategy evolution: Digital grassroots campaigns now outperform traditional advertising.
- Generational divide: Younger voters prioritize systemic change, older voters favor pragmatism.
- Progressivism as mainstream: By 2025, policies once seen as radical — rent control, free transit — became central talking points.
- Charisma over capital: Enthusiasm and authenticity now outweigh campaign budgets.
Predicted Future Trends
Looking ahead to 2029 and beyond, NYC’s politics may continue leaning progressive — but maintaining momentum will depend on results. If Mamdani’s administration delivers on housing and equity, progressives could cement dominance. If not, moderates may rebound.
The pattern suggests an ongoing tug-of-war between establishment and grassroots forces, reflecting America’s broader urban political realignment.
FAQs 2025 and 2021 NYC Mayoral Election Comparison
1. Who won the 2025 NYC mayoral election?
Zohran Mamdani, representing the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, won with approximately 50% of the vote.
2. Who won in 2021?
Eric Adams, also a Democrat but from the moderate faction, secured around 67% of the vote.
3. How did voter turnout differ?
Turnout almost doubled — from about 1.15 million in 2021 to over 2 million in 2025.
4. What issues decided each race?
2021 focused on safety and economic recovery; 2025 centered on housing, affordability, and inequality.
5. Did ranked-choice voting affect the outcomes?
It shaped primary dynamics but not the general elections. The 2025 general result was a simple majority win.
6. What was unique about the 2025 race?
The inclusion of Andrew Cuomo as an independent made it a rare three-way contest in modern NYC politics.
7. What does this mean for New York’s future?
The 2025 results suggest a lasting generational shift toward progressive policy priorities and higher civic engagement.
