NEW YORK (VINnews) — A candidate backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani lost a closely watched Manhattan City Council special election Tuesday, as Carl Wilson defeated Lindsey Boylan in a race that exposed limits to the mayor’s political influence and highlighted divisions within city Democrats.

With preliminary ranked-choice results showing Wilson ahead 43% to 25%, Boylan conceded, effectively handing victory to the candidate backed by much of Manhattan’s Democratic establishment.

According to reporting by The New York Times, no candidate initially crossed the 50% threshold, sending the race into ranked-choice tabulations, though Wilson’s lead proved decisive. The Times also described the contest as a proxy fight between Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin, whose competing endorsements elevated the race beyond a typical local special election.

Wilson benefited from support from local political clubs, labor unions and significant outside spending, while Boylan drew backing from progressive groups and allies of the mayor.

The race to fill the vacancy left by Erik Bottcher’s move to the state Senate had taken on broader significance as a test of whether Mamdani’s political coalition could expand its reach in Manhattan.

Boylan, who rose to prominence after accusing former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, was seeking her first elected office. Wilson’s win now positions him to be sworn in to complete the remainder of the term, though the two are expected to meet again in the June Democratic primary.

The result was seen by observers as a setback for the mayor’s preferred candidate and a sign traditional Democratic power centers remain potent in city politics.