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Zohran Mamdani won the New York mayoral election by quite a margin over Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, but apparently they weren’t his only competitors.
The city’s sports fans decided their vote should go to someone else, with many athletes receiving a handful of votes.
The city’s two biggest stars, Aaron Judge and Jalen Brunson, were listed on several ballots. The now three-time American League MVP received a total of 11 votes, while the New York Knicks star received 29 (although some people had trouble spelling his name).
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(Left) New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts after being thrown out during the eighth inning of Game 4 of the ALDS during the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York on October 8, 2025. (Center) New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at MetLife Stadium of East Rutherford, New Jersey on November 8, 2025. 2, 2025. (Right) New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is shown at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York on November 11, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images; Ed Mulholland/Imagn Images; Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
Derek Jeter received one vote, Pete Alonso got three and New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, although with more spelling issues, got six. Lou Gehrig, who died in 1939, also got one vote.
Other current and former New York sports figures who received votes included Cam Schlittler, Cam Skattebo, Carmelo Anthony, Garrett Wilson, Aaron Glenn, Josh Hart, Tom Thibodeau and Walt Frazier. Sandy Koufax also got a vote, as did MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
Cam Skattebo of the New York Giants reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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But New Yorkers didn’t just vote for their hometown heroes: In fact, some arch rivals had their names written.
Former Giants and current Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley got one vote, while New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye also got one. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts also ended up on someone’s ballot.
For comparison, former President Joe Biden received two votes and Nancy Pelosi received one.
Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts (1) and Saquon Barkley (26) are in action to celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
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In the end, neither athlete will take office next year, with Mamdani winning the vote quite easily. He will take office once the calendar moves to 2026.
