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Zohran Mamdani narrowly won the New York mayoral election over Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, but apparently they weren’t his only competition.
Sports fans in the city decided their vote should go to someone else, with several athletes getting handfuls of votes.
The two biggest stars in town, Aaron Judge and Jalen Brunson, were written in on multiple 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 striking out in the eighth inning of Game Four of the ALDS of the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, on October 8, 2025. (Center) New York Giants quarterback against San Francisco quarterback Jaxson Dart 96. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on November 2, 2025. (Right) New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is seen 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 got one vote, Pete Alonso got three and New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, albeit with several spelling problems, got six. Lou Gehrig, who died in 1939, also received one vote.
Other notable New York sports figures, current and former, 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.
New York Giants’ Cam Skattebo reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
EX-MLB PITCHER JOHN ROCKER RIPS NEW YORK CITY, SWIPES AT ZOHRAN MAMDANI IN SCATTHING POST
New Yorkers didn’t just vote for their hometown heroes, though — in fact, some major rivals got their names written out.
Former Giant and current Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley received one vote, while New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye also received one. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts also found himself on someone’s ballot.
In comparison, former President Joe Biden got two votes and Nancy Pelosi got one.
Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts (1) and Saquon Barkley (26) are in action and 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, none of the athletes will take office next year, as Mamdani won the vote quite easily. He will take office when the calendar turns to 2026.
