Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani defeated establishment favorite Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic nomination in New York's mayoral race, marking a clear victory for the party’s progressive wing.
The primary used ranked choice voting, which encouraged coalition-building, drove record turnout, and notably reduced negative campaigning.
But thanks to New York’s fusion voting system, Cuomo has secured a spot on the general election ballot, giving him one more shot at defeat in what promises to be a far more chaotic, crowded, and contentious race.
In this episode, Dan and Shawn break down the electoral reform car crash happening in real time, how these voting systems shaped campaign behavior, and what the race reveals about the Democratic Party’s ongoing attempts to contain its ascendant left wing.