How the Media Only Focused On Ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo In NYC Mayoral Race

In the Democratic primary on June 24, New Yorkers, weary of corruption under Mayor Eric Adams, chose state assembly member Zohran Mamdani as their likely candidate to succeed him. Although the official winner won't be revealed until July 1 due to ranked-choice voting, Mamdani emerged as the frontrunner in initial votes. Throughout the election cycle, media narratives predominantly spotlighted disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo, overshadowing other candidates. An analysis by FAIR indicated that Cuomo's name appeared in headlines significantly more than Mamdani's or Brad Lander’s, even when they were polling competitively. The New York Times notably marginalized Mamdani in an article questioning electoral viability. This media favoritism can significantly impact voter recognition and election results; research shows that increased visibility correlates with favorable outcomes. With a proactive strategy, Mamdani sought to increase his name recognition by pledging to engage directly with voters, a method that has historically proven effective for lesser-known candidates.