Self-described democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's unexpected upset in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday exhilarated progressive activists, who had banded together to prevent the more moderate former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo from triumphing.

Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani declared a historic victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday night, and he has plenty of community organizers in Richmond Hill to thank for helping push voters to the polls.

Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, New York City natives who lead their parties’ caucuses in each chamber of Congress, quickly issued statements saying they had spoken to Mamdani and praising the campaign he ran. They stopped short of endorsing him.