CNN's Coverage of the Final Primaries: NY, OH, MD

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Wolf Blitzer: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer. Polls have just closed in New York, Maryland, and Ohio. These are the final contests of a contentious Democratic primary season. While we wait for the first results, let's go to David Chalian with an early indication of our exit polls. David?

David Chalian: Alright Wolf, this is it. The final three primaries of the Democratic nomination process. It is virtually impossible, maybe completely impossible, for any candidate to get a majority of the delegates tonight. So it's all about where folks stand and momentum.

Right now, in the state of New York, we are characterizing the race as "too close to call" between Zach Blank and Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen. Jonathan Blake is further behind.

In the state of Ohio, we are characterizing the race as "too close to call" between Jonathan Blake and Zach Blank. Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen is further behind.

In the state of Maryland, we are characterizing the race as "too close to call" between Jonathan Blake and Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen. Zach Blank is further behind.

Wolf Blitzer: Very fascinating, David. It looks like all three candidates have a chance to pick up wins going into the Democratic National Convention.

David Chalian: That's for sure, Wolf.

Wolf Blitzer: Let's take it to our political panel for more analysis and insights as we wait for the first results.

Anderson Cooper: We are watching history unfold tonight as the final three Democratic primaries come to a close. New York, Ohio, and Maryland—three very different states—are all too close to call. That means Zach Blank, Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen, and Jonathan Blake are heading into the Democratic National Convention without a clear winner.

Van, let’s start with you. What stands out in these exit polls?

Van Jones: Anderson, what stands out is chaos.

This isn’t like past primaries where a candidate clinches the nomination on the final night. Instead, we are heading into a contested convention with three candidates who can all make an argument for why they should be the nominee. This night is unprecedented. It’s not just about the delegate math—it’s about momentum heading into the convention.

Anderson Cooper: Scott, I know you’ve been watching this race closely from a Republican perspective. What does this Democratic division mean for JD Vance?

Scott Jennings: Look, this is a total gift for the Republican Party.

The longer the Democrats are fighting each other, the less time they have to take on JD Vance.

And let’s be clear—Vance has already unified the GOP after Trump’s passing. He’s locking down donors, he’s consolidating the conservative base, and he’s starting to pivot toward the general election.

Meanwhile, Democrats are still at war with themselves. They’re about to spend weeks, maybe months, in a brutal convention fight. That’s time JD Vance will use to define them before they even have a nominee.

Bottom line? Vance is watching this and smiling.

Anderson Cooper: Van, let’s talk about voter enthusiasm. Do these exit polls give us any clues about which candidate has the most energized base?

Van Jones: Absolutely, Anderson. The biggest takeaway from the exit polls is that enthusiasm is split—but not equally.

Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen’s voters are the most passionate. Young voters, climate activists, and the progressive wing are all in for Gojo. His movement is built on energy and excitement.

Jonathan Blake is surging with working-class voters. He’s built a strong coalition of union members, economic populists, and disaffected Democrats who don’t trust the establishment. That’s dangerous for Blank because it means Blake is peeling away some of his natural base.

Zach Blank’s challenge? His support is broad, but not deep. He’s polling well, but he doesn’t have the same loyal base that Gojo and Blake do. And in a contested convention, passion matters.

Whoever wins the floor fight at the convention will need to prove they can rally the whole party behind them. Right now, no one looks like they can do that.

Anderson Cooper: David, let’s talk about delegate strategy. We know no one will clinch the nomination tonight. So what’s next?

David Axelrod: Anderson, we’re now in the shadow campaign phase.

None of these candidates are getting to 50% of the delegates, so this fight is going behind closed doors.

Zach Blank will argue he’s the only one who can win the general election. Expect him to court party elders, Democratic governors, and moderate power brokers.

Jonathan Blake will try to bring labor unions and working-class delegates into his camp. If he can prove he’s the strongest in the Rust Belt, he has a real shot.

Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen will rely on grassroots pressure. His campaign will pressure delegates not to betray the progressive movement.

Superdelegates aren’t supposed to vote on the first ballot. But if no one wins in the first round, they become kingmakers. And that’s where the real fight begins.

Anderson Cooper: Alright, let’s wrap with final thoughts. What should we be watching for as results come in?

Van Jones: Watch for who wins New York. That’s the biggest delegate prize tonight, and if Blank wins, he strengthens his case as the frontrunner. If Gojo wins, progressives get a massive boost.

David Axelrod: Watch for what happens in Ohio. If Blake pulls off a win there, it proves he can compete in critical swing states. That could give him leverage at the convention.

Scott Jennings: Watch for who gives the most bitter concession speech. Because that’ll tell us how divided this party really is. If someone refuses to drop out tonight, buckle up—we’re in for a long, messy convention fight.

Anderson Cooper: Three states, three close races, and one party heading toward a contested convention. We’ll be back with the first vote totals as soon as they come in. Stay with us.

 

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Wolf Blitzer: We have a major projection from the state of Maryland:

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Zach Blank [Sopo]: 24%
Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen [Calvin]: 41%
Jonathan Blake [UV]: 35%
100% reporting

Wolf Blitzer: The first victory of the night goes to Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen, who has won the great state of Maryland. Jonathan Blake was leading here as recently as a week ago, but Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen moved in a decent amount of money and deployed a significant surrogate operation to the state. Notably, Zach Blank is projected to come in third place in this state. That being said, the Blank campaign did not focus on Maryland and is far more optimistic about New York and Ohio which are still not projected.

Anderson, what does the best political team in television have to say?

Anderson Cooper: Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen wins Maryland, pulling ahead of Jonathan Blake, while Zach Blank finishes a distant third. Van, this was shaping up to be a Blake win not long ago. What happened?

Van Jones: Anderson, this is a huge win for Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen. Maryland was Jonathan Blake’s to lose—he had strong union backing, working-class support, and had been leading in the polls. But in the last week, Gojo went all-in on Maryland and it paid off. He flooded the state with money, shifting major ad buys late, especially on radio and digital platforms that targeted Black voters and young voters. His surrogate game was top-notch. Meanwhile, Blake didn’t close strong enough and spread himself too thin.

Anderson Cooper: Scott, you’ve been skeptical of Gojo’s electability in a general election. Does this win change anything for you?

Scott Jennings: Anderson, let’s be real—this win is great for Gojo, but terrible for the Democratic Party. Gojo is the weakest general election candidate left. The Republicans are praying he wins the nomination. He is way too progressive for swing states. He can win Maryland, sure, but can he win Wisconsin? Pennsylvania? Arizona? Georgia? No way. JD Vance is watching this and laughing. He’s already moving to the center while Democrats are drifting further left. This is a bad sign for Zach Blank, too. If he doesn’t win New York and Ohio tonight, moderates will be panicking at the convention. And if they can’t consolidate? Gojo could walk away with this nomination.

Anderson Cooper: Van, do you buy that argument? Is Gojo too progressive to be the nominee?

Van Jones: Scott, we’ve heard this argument before—that progressive candidates can’t win. But what keeps happening? Progressives keep proving the doubters wrong. Maryland is a racially diverse, heavily Democratic state. If Gojo is unelectable, why did he just crush Blake and Blank here? Young voters are turning out for him. That’s something Democrats desperately need in November. He’s proving he can build a broad coalition. It’s not just progressives voting for him anymore—he’s pulling in union workers, students, and climate voters. Does that mean he’s the best choice for the general election? Not necessarily. But Democratic primary voters are choosing who excites them now—not who Republicans want them to pick.

Anderson Cooper: David, let’s focus on Zach Blank. He finished a distant third in Maryland. Is that a problem, or is it just that he didn’t compete here?

David Axelrod: Anderson, Blank never had a shot in Maryland. He barely spent money here, and his team knew it wasn’t worth fighting for. But that doesn’t mean he’s safe. New York is a must-win. If he loses there, his argument as the strongest general election candidate falls apart. Ohio is winnable, but a toss-up. He’s neck and neck with Blake, but he needs to prove he can win the Rust Belt. His message still resonates with moderates. But if Gojo keeps surging, moderates might start panicking at the convention. Bottom line? Losing Maryland isn’t a disaster. But losing New York or Ohio would be.

Anderson Cooper: One more thing before we go to break. Jonathan Blake has yet to win a state. David, why is he still in this race?

David Axelrod: That’s a great question, Anderson, and one that a lot of people are asking. Here’s the answer: Jonathan Blake is still picking up delegates. He may not have won a state outright, but he’s accumulated a large number of delegates by consistently competing. This is how he stays viable at a contested convention. His strategy is simple: survive, accumulate, and negotiate. If no one reaches a delegate majority, Blake will have a serious role in shaping the nomination fight.

Anderson Cooper: Van, is that a smart strategy, or does he risk becoming a spoiler?

Van Jones: Anderson, I think it’s a risky but rational strategy. Blake knows he’s unlikely to get a late surge of momentum, but his campaign believes that if Gojo and Blank deadlock at the convention, the party might turn to him as a compromise candidate. The problem is, at some point, you have to actually win a state. He has to win either Ohio or New York tonight, or else his argument for being a serious contender weakens.

Anderson Cooper: Scott, last word. Is Jonathan Blake just wasting time, or does he have a real path?

Scott Jennings: Anderson, I’ll put it bluntly—Blake is a placeholder right now. He’s holding onto delegates in case he can play kingmaker at the convention. But let’s be honest, no one in this party is excited about him. He’s not winning states, he’s just hanging around. If the Democrats want to beat JD Vance, they need a nominee with actual momentum. Right now, Blake doesn’t have it.

Anderson Cooper: We are still waiting on New York and Ohio, two states that will determine the balance of power heading into the Democratic convention. Stay with CNN as we bring you the latest results.

 

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Wolf Blitzer: Welcome back to CNN's coverage of the New York, Maryland, and Ohio Democratic Primaries. We have had the first call of the night in Maryland. We are finally getting some vote in the state of New York, let's go over to the magic wall with John King and see what is happening

​

Zach Blank [Sopo]: 44%
Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen [Calvin]: 36%
Jonathan Blake [UV]: 20%
52% reporting

John King: Look at this Wolf, look at all the green on the board for Senator Zach Blank.

Wolf Blitzer: Pretty impressive showing for Senator Blank, John. Is Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen winning anywhere?

John King: Right now, Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen is winning in only three counties. But they are three counties you want to be winning if you want to be competitive in the state of New York. He is winning Kings County, New York County — which is where Manhattan is — and Onondaga County which is where the University of Syracuse is based.

On the other hand, Zach Blank is running it up across the rest of the state. This is a real fight between, essentially, New York City and the rest of the state. It's fascinating to watch.

Wolf Blitzer: Is there enough vote out there for Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen to take the lead?

John King: Yes, Wolf, there definitely is. But there's also enough vote for Zach Blank to hold on if he keeps performing in Long Island, in Buffalo, maybe he can win Staten Island. But he cannot concede the whole Tri-state area. He needs to win the New York City suburbs to beat back the huge vote that Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen is getting out of New York City.

Wolf Blitzer: Very fascinating. Let's bring in Jake Tapper and his political team.

Jake Tapper: Thank you, Wolf. As we just saw, Zach Blank is holding onto a strong lead in New York, but there is still plenty of vote out there. Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen is dominating in the urban core, while Blank is running it up across the rest of the state. With me tonight to break it all down are our panelists—former Obama White House adviser Stephanie Cutter, Republican strategist Alice Stewart, and former Bernie Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir. Stephanie, let’s start with you. What do you make of these numbers?

Stephanie Cutter: Jake, this is exactly the kind of map Zach Blank was hoping for. He’s overperforming in the rural and suburban parts of New York while holding his own in the suburbs. But let’s be real—this is not over yet. Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen is pulling in massive numbers out of New York City. If turnout in the five boroughs remains high, he can still make up ground. But if Blank keeps padding his numbers in upstate and in Long Island, he could close this out.

Jake Tapper: Faiz, you were instrumental in Bernie Sanders’ campaigns, which saw an almost opposite dynamic—winning in rural area struggling in ciites. What do you make of Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen’s performance tonight?

Faiz Shakir: Look, I think Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen’s campaign should be very happy right now. He is proving that there is still a real hunger in the Democratic electorate for a bold, progressive candidate. The fact that he’s doing so well in New York City and among young voters should scare Zach Blank’s team, because those are the voters who drive enthusiasm, turnout, and movement politics.

Jake Tapper: Alice, you mentioned a contested convention. Let’s talk about that. We’ve now seen Gojo win Maryland and likely rack up a significant delegate haul in New York, but he’s still behind the majority delegate mark. Does the Democratic Party risk a civil war at the convention?

Alice Stewart: Absolutely, Jake. The Democratic Party is on a collision course with chaos. Zach Blank is the only candidate consistently winning over moderates, suburban voters, and blue-collar Democrats. But Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen has the energy of the progressive movement behind him. And then there’s Jonathan Blake, who, despite never winning a single state, keeps racking up delegates and could be a kingmaker at the convention. What happens when you have three candidates all making a case for why they should be the nominee? Chaos. And meanwhile, JD Vance and the Republicans are watching this unfold and already planning their general election strategy. Democrats are heading toward a nightmare scenario, and they have no one to blame but themselves.

Jake Tapper: Stephanie, is Alice right? Is this heading for a disaster at the convention?

Stephanie Cutter: I think "disaster" is a little strong, but there’s no doubt that this is getting messy. The reality is, no one is going to walk into the convention with a majority of delegates. That means deals will have to be made. If Blank wins New York tonight, he will have a strong case to be the nominee—he’s winning the biggest states, he’s bringing in moderate voters, and he’s got the broadest coalition. But Gojo and his supporters are not going to back down without a fight. And Jonathan Blake? He might not be winning states, but he’s stacking up just enough delegates to be a serious player in any convention negotiations. So yes, there will be some tough conversations. But Democrats know what’s at stake. If they want to beat JD Vance, they will have to find a way to come together.

Jake Tapper: Faiz, does Gojo have a legitimate path to being the nominee at a contested convention, or is he just setting himself up to play spoiler?

Faiz Shakir: If he wins New York, he has a very real case to make. Maryland and New York are two huge delegate prizes. He’s bringing in new voters, he’s winning younger voters, and he’s dominating in urban areas. The progressive wing is energized. If Blank doesn’t win Ohio, we’re heading into that convention with no clear frontrunner. And let’s not forget, Blank has been making the case that he’s the most electable—but if he loses the biggest progressive states, does that argument still hold? Gojo has a movement behind him. That’s something you can’t ignore. And if Blank and his team don’t handle this right, they could find themselves on the losing end of a delegate fight.

Jake Tapper: Alright, fascinating discussion. We’ll take a short break, but when we come back, we’ll have more updates as votes continue to come in from New York, Maryland, and Ohio. Stay with us.

 

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Wolf Blitzer: Welcome back to CNN's coverage of the final primaries of the Democratic Primary. At this hour, we have a really major projection to make:

​

Zach Blank [Sopo]: 41%
Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen [Calvin]: 24%
Jonathan Blake [UV]: 36%
100% reporting

Wolf Blitzer: We at CNN are now ready to project that Senator Zach Blank was on the Ohio Primary of the Democratic Party. This is another state where Jonathan Blake started out leading in -- as the Buckeye state's favorite son -- but he was out-monied and out-flanked by the Blank campaign. While Blank dedicated some time and money to the state, it was his surrogate Bobby Jack Knoll III who really barnstormed across the state. Bobby Jack Knoll endorsed Blank at a critical moment of the race, and Zach Blank announced that Bobby Jack would be his Vice President if he became the nominee. Anderson, this creative strategy apparently worked in Ohio?

Anderson Cooper: It certainly did, Wolf. Zach Blank's campaign saw an opportunity here in Ohio, and they executed on it masterfully. He didn’t just rely on his own appeal—he brought in Bobby Jack Knoll III, a candidate who had a strong grassroots following and deep credibility in working-class communities. By announcing Knoll as his potential running mate, Blank effectively consolidated support from voters who might have otherwise gone to Jonathan Blake.

Let's bring in our panel—Van Jones, David Axelrod, and Scott Jennings. Van, what do you make of this result?

Van Jones: Anderson, this was a tactical win for Zach Blank. He understood that Ohio wasn’t just about money, it was about trust. Jonathan Blake, for all his strengths, has been running as a guy who represents working-class values, but he kept falling short in these big industrial states. And Zach Blank saw an opportunity. By bringing in Bobby Jack Knoll III, he was able to reinforce his economic message and say to voters, “Look, I’m not just some moderate Democrat trying to hold the line—I’m a fighter for the working class.”

And let’s not overlook the fact that this is the second state where Blake was leading in early polls and still lost. That raises a real question—why does Blake keep racking up delegates but never actually winning?

Anderson Cooper: That’s a great question, Van. David, why is Blake still in this race despite never actually winning a state?

David Axelrod: Because delegates still matter, Anderson. This isn’t a primary where a single candidate is walking into the convention with a clear majority. Blake may not be winning outright, but he is playing the long game. Every delegate he picks up makes him a power player at the convention.

Now, let’s be clear—this loss in Ohio is devastating for him. This was supposed to be his state. He had deep ties here, he was polling well early on, and yet Blank and Knoll managed to outmaneuver him. That’s going to sting. But let’s not write him off. He has been picking up delegates consistently, and that means if this goes to a contested convention, he could still be a major player in deciding the nominee.

Anderson Cooper: Scott, from a Republican perspective, what do you see here?

Scott Jennings: Anderson, what I see is a Democratic Party that is still deeply divided. And let’s be real—Zach Blank winning Ohio is bad news for Republicans. If Democrats are smart, they’ll look at this result and realize that Blank is their best shot at stopping JD Vance. Blank is winning over working-class voters, suburban moderates, and traditional Democrats who still care about economic issues. That’s a winning coalition in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan—exactly the kind of places Democrats need to win in November.

Now, if you’re a Republican strategist, you’re hoping for chaos at the convention. You want this primary to drag on. You want Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen and Jonathan Blake to keep splitting votes, because the longer the Democrats fight, the harder it is for them to unify. But let’s be clear—if Blank emerges as the nominee with Knoll on the ticket, JD Vance has a real fight on his hands.

Anderson Cooper: Van, you’ve been making the case that Gojo’s base is fired up, but is that enough for him to still have a path forward?

Van Jones: I think Gojo’s campaign has energy, but energy isn’t the same as a path to the nomination. Yes, he’s won Maryland and Washington. Yes, he’s dominant in urban centers and among younger voters. But tonight, he’s finishing third in Ohio. That’s a problem.

His biggest argument has been that he represents the future of the party, but if he keeps losing these big battleground states, he’s going to have a hard time making the case that he should be the nominee. His path forward has to be through the convention, hoping that progressive delegates can pressure the party into backing him. But that’s a risky gamble, because if the convention turns into a mess, it only helps Republicans.

Anderson Cooper: David, last word. Where does the race stand now?

David Axelrod: Well, we still don’t have a call in New York. If Blank wins there, he will have all the momentum going into the convention. If Gojo pulls off an upset, then it’s still a fight. Jonathan Blake, despite never winning a state, remains a major factor just because of his delegates. But at the end of the day, the reality is setting in—this is Zach Blank’s nomination to lose.

Anderson Cooper: A fascinating night of primary politics. We still have one race left to call in New York, and we’ll be here with every development. Stay with us.

 

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Wolf Blitzer: And we're back. Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen has won the state of Maryland, Zach Blank has won the state of Ohio. Now all eyes turn to New York. With the majority of the vote in, CNN is still characterizing this race as "too close to call" between Zach Blank and Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen.

​

Zach Blank [Sopo]: 40%
Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen [Calvin]: 38%
Jonathan Blake [UV]: 22%
84% reporting

Wolf Blitzer: John, it looks like Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen has gained a little bit of ground in this race. What is going on?

John King: Well, Wolf, this is what a competitive election in New York looks like. We don't spend a lot of time looking at New York because it's usually a safe blue Democratic state. But in the Democratic Party primary, of course, it can be anyone's game. Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen is maintaining solid margins in the most densely populated counties in New York City. Blank is winning narrowly, or in some cases, quite decisively, nearly everywhere else in the state.

Wolf Blitzer: What is left outstanding that could help Blank pad his margin?

John King: There is still 40% left reporting in Buffalo where Zach Blank is winning narrowly. There's also 30% left reporting in Staten Island, where Blank is winning pretty comfortably. There are also a few rural and suburban counties that will add some margin to his total. But there is also a lot out in Kings County, Queens County, and the Bronx.

Wolf Blitzer: What was the dynamic in New York over the past few days? How did this race get so close?

John King: Blank's campaign really did close strong here, Wolf. Most commentators saw him as having — on the whole — better ads than Jujutsu-Kaisen. He also was reenergized after his win in Pennsylvania, where he was criticized for having short and boring speeches. He stepped up his campaigning game. The challenge was that Jujutsu-Kaisen had more momentum, and also had extremely solid events.

Wolf Blitzer: One win for Zach Blank, one win for Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen. It now all hangs in the balance here in New York. We will be right back.

 

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Anderson Cooper: Welcome back to CNN’s coverage of the final Democratic primaries. We are in the thick of it here in New York, where the race remains too close to call between Zach Blank and Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen. With 84% of the vote in, Blank holds a narrow lead over Jujutsu-Kaisen, but with critical votes still outstanding in New York City, this race is anything but settled. Let’s bring in our panel—Van Jones, David Axelrod, and Scott Jennings—for their analysis. Van, let’s start with you. What’s your read on how this race is shaping up?

Van Jones: Anderson, this is turning out to be the nail-biter that everyone predicted. Zach Blank came into New York needing a strong performance, and he’s gotten one. He’s doing everything he needs to do—winning across upstate, running strong in the suburbs, and even holding his own in places like Buffalo and Staten Island.

But let’s be honest: New York City is a powerhouse in Democratic primaries, and Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen has been racking up serious margins in the five boroughs. That’s what’s keeping this race razor-thin. The outstanding vote in Brooklyn and Queens means he still has a path to take the lead. If he pulls it off, it’ll be because of his dominance in the urban core. If Blank holds on, it’ll be because he managed to weather the storm outside of it.

Anderson Cooper: David, Blank just pulled off a crucial win in Ohio, but now he’s locked in a dead heat here in New York. If he wins, what does that mean for this primary heading into the convention?

David Axelrod: Anderson, if Blank wins New York, that’s essentially the ballgame. Now, I’m not saying he’ll have a delegate majority—that’s still up in the air—but if he walks away tonight with both Ohio and New York, he’ll be the overwhelming frontrunner heading into the convention. He would have won the two most delegate-rich states left on the board.

The other thing that’s important to note is that Blank has improved dramatically as a candidate in these last few contests. His speeches were a weak spot earlier in the campaign, but he’s really stepped up his energy. He’s clearly been able to unify key parts of the party. If he can add New York to his column, he’ll go into the convention as the favorite to get the nomination.

Anderson Cooper: Scott, from a Republican perspective, what are you seeing in this Democratic battle?

Scott Jennings: Anderson, what I see is a Democratic Party that still has no clear nominee with just weeks to go before their convention. This has been a bitter fight, and neither Blank nor Jujutsu-Kaisen has been able to put the other away. If this race were happening on the Republican side, I guarantee you we’d be calling it a disaster. And yet, Democrats are marching straight toward what could be an absolute mess at their convention.

Now, as a Republican, I’m rooting for chaos. If this drags on, if the delegates fight it out on the convention floor, that plays into JD Vance’s hands. Vance is running a disciplined, united campaign, and if Democrats spend weeks or even months infighting, it weakens whoever emerges as the nominee.

That said, if Blank pulls this out tonight, I agree with David—he’s the de facto nominee. But if Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen comes from behind and wins New York? Then we’ve got a real fight on our hands, because that would give him the momentum heading into the convention.

Anderson Cooper: Van, let’s talk about Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen. If he pulls off this win tonight, does that shake up the race?

Van Jones: Absolutely, Anderson. If Jujutsu-Kaisen wins New York, that changes the entire narrative. Right now, Blank has the edge, but if Gojo pulls out a win, it proves that his progressive movement has real staying power. He won Washington. He won Maryland. If he adds New York, that’s three major wins in just a few weeks. It gives his campaign a huge argument heading into the convention: that the Democratic base is behind him, that he has the enthusiasm, and that the party should rally around him instead of the safer, more centrist Blank.

But the numbers are close, and let’s be clear—if Blank holds on, that could be the end of the road for Gojo’s path to the nomination. This is his last, best chance to shift the trajectory of this race.

Anderson Cooper: David, let’s say Gojo wins New York. What does that mean for the convention?

David Axelrod: If Gojo wins New York, that means we are going to an all-out battle at the convention. No one will have enough delegates to win outright, and the fight will be about momentum, persuasion, and backroom negotiations.

What’s fascinating about this scenario is that Jonathan Blake, despite never winning a state, still has a sizeable delegate count. His support could be king-making at the convention. If he throws his weight behind Blank, that might be enough to clinch it. But if Gojo can cut a deal and win over some of Blake’s delegates? Then all bets are off.

Anderson Cooper: Final thoughts, Van?

Van Jones: Look, New York is still up in the air. But no matter what happens, this race is heading to one of the most unpredictable Democratic conventions we’ve seen in a long time.

Anderson Cooper: David?

David Axelrod: If Blank wins New York, this primary is effectively over. If Gojo wins, we are in for a fight all the way to the convention.

Anderson Cooper: Scott?

Scott Jennings: Republicans are watching, waiting, and hoping for more chaos. Because the longer this fight drags on, the better it is for JD Vance.

Anderson Cooper: We’ll have more updates as soon as more results come in from New York. Stay with us.

 

[HEM]

Wolf Blitzer: Welcome back to our viewers in the United States and around the world.

We've been covering the results in the Democratic New York Primary. And right now we have not just a projection, but a *major* projection

​

Zach Blank [Sopo]: 38.20%
Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen [Calvin]: 38.72%
Jonathan Blake [UV]: 23.08%
100% reporting

Wolf Blitzer: With a truly massive dump of votes out of Nassau County breaking significantly for Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen, we are ready to project to it will be Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen who wins the Democratic Primary of the state of New York. This race was always close, but Zach Blank maintained a key lead in the final days. Despite this, momentum in the sails of Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen as well as a concentrated focus on this state has given him a narrow edge in this truly tight contest.

Wolf Blitzer: Anderson, this was a very close result. But Zach Blank has to be disappointed to have come up just short in this contest.

Anderson Cooper: Absolutely, Wolf. This was a race that Zach Blank was leading for most of the night, but in the end, Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen surged just enough to take the win. And let's be clear—this isn’t just any win. This is New York. It’s a delegate-rich state, a media capital, and a major momentum boost heading into what will now be a very unpredictable convention. Let's bring back our panel—Van Jones, David Axelrod, and Scott Jennings. Van, what do you make of this result?

Van Jones: Anderson, this is a huge moment for Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen. Look, if Zach Blank had taken New York tonight, he would have been the clear frontrunner heading into the convention. Instead, Gojo has pulled off a stunning upset in a state Blank needed.

But let’s also put this in perspective—this was razor-thin. Less than a percentage point separates them. That means there’s no real knockout punch here, but it does shift the narrative. Gojo can now go to the convention saying, I just won New York, and that argument will resonate with delegates who are still on the fence.

Anderson Cooper: David, does this change the overall strategy for both campaigns as they head into the convention?

David Axelrod: Oh, without a doubt, Anderson. For Blank, the argument now has to be: Look at the full primary map. He’ll say, I won Pennsylvania, I won Ohio, I won key swing states where we need to beat JD Vance. His case to the delegates is going to be electability—he’s the one who can win in November.

For Gojo, the argument is now momentum and enthusiasm. He’ll say, Look at the energy behind my campaign. I just won a major progressive state. The people are with me. And that’s going to be a compelling argument, especially for the progressive wing of the party.

But here’s the thing, Anderson—neither of them has enough delegates to win outright. That means this convention will be contested, and every single delegate is going to matter.

Anderson Cooper: Van, final thoughts?

Van Jones: This is one of the most unpredictable primary fights we’ve seen in years. No clear winner. No clear path forward. The convention is going to be everything.

Anderson Cooper: David?

David Axelrod: The stakes just got a whole lot higher. Every delegate will be up for grabs. It’s going to be a fight to the finish.

Anderson Cooper: Scott?

Scott Jennings: This is chaos for Democrats, and JD Vance couldn’t be happier.

Anderson Cooper: That’s it for now. With the final primary results in, we're wrapping up our coverage of this primary result. Until next time, we will throw it to our Late Late Night Panel with Jake Tapper:

Jake Tapper: Welcome back to CNN. I'm Jake Tapper. It’s official—Gojo Jujutsu-Kaisen has won New York, Zach Blank has won Ohio, and with that, we are heading into a contested convention with no clear nominee.

At this hour, we’re bringing in some outside voices—economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, and former British Prime Minister John Major—to get their unique perspectives on this race and what it means for both the Democratic Party and the broader political landscape.

Paul, let’s start with you. From an economic perspective, what do you make of this primary and how the candidates are positioning themselves?

Paul Krugman: Well, Jake, what strikes me most is how much this primary has revolved around economic anxiety. We’ve seen all three candidates—Blank, Jujutsu-Kaisen, and Blake—trying to position themselves as champions of the working class, yet with very different approaches.

Blank has leaned into a pragmatic, moderate economic vision—expanding public options in healthcare, infrastructure investment, but with a clear message of fiscal responsibility. He’s the candidate who wants to convince swing voters that Democrats can be the party of economic stability.

Jujutsu-Kaisen, on the other hand, is running on bold transformation—aggressive climate action, expanded social programs, and a realignment of corporate power. That’s resonating with younger voters, urban voters, and those who feel the economic system is rigged against them. And winning New York proves that message has legs.

Then there’s Blake, who has built his entire brand on a populist economic contrast—attacking corporate greed, Wall Street excess, and the way both parties have sold out the working class. He hasn’t won a state, but he’s been consistent in picking up delegates. That suggests there’s still a hunger in the party for a more aggressive approach to economic justice.

But what I think is most interesting, Jake, is what’s not happening. None of these candidates have embraced the sort of deficit hysteria we saw in the 90s. No one is talking about cutting social programs. Even the moderates aren’t running on pure austerity. That tells me that the Democratic Party, regardless of who wins, has fundamentally shifted to a more pro-labor, pro-government investment economic stance.

Jake Tapper: That’s a great point. The days of "the era of big government is over" seem long gone. Prime Minister Major, let’s get your perspective. You’ve seen leadership battles play out in the U.K.—what do you make of this Democratic primary, and what does this type of contested convention scenario mean for governance?

John Major: Well, Jake, from a governance standpoint, this is precisely the sort of situation that can weaken a party heading into a general election. The Democrats now face a scenario where their nominee—whoever emerges—will come out of a fractious convention fight. And that’s dangerous because the Republicans already have a nominee in JD Vance, who, for all his faults, will be running a unified campaign while the Democrats are still negotiating with themselves.

Now, from my experience in the Conservative Party, I’ve seen what internal party divisions can do. It creates instability, it alienates key voters, and it gives your opponent an open goal to attack you on. If the Democrats cannot resolve this quickly, and I do mean quickly, then they risk looking like a party in chaos.

There’s also the global dimension to consider. Allies of the United States are watching this, and they are wondering: Can America afford a messy transition in leadership at a time of global uncertainty? We are dealing with an aggressive Russia, tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and major economic realignments across Europe. Whoever wins this nomination has to convince the world that they will provide stability, not just to Americans, but to America’s allies as well.

Jake Tapper: That’s an important point. Do you think, based on what we’ve seen, that any of these candidates is better positioned to project that stability?

John Major: Well, Blank would certainly make that case. His argument is one of consistency, moderation, and electability. He’s the most predictable choice for both voters and foreign leaders. But that doesn’t mean he’ll be the nominee. If the convention is about energy and momentum, then Jujutsu-Kaisen has the upper hand—winning both Maryland and New York means something.

The real question is: How disciplined will the Democratic Party be in handling this convention? If it becomes a drawn-out war, it will not matter who the nominee is, because they will emerge weakened.

Jake Tapper: Paul, let’s get back to the economic angle. You’ve talked about the Democratic shift toward pro-labor policies, but let’s talk about what this means against JD Vance. What does a protracted convention battle mean for economic messaging in the general election?

Paul Krugman: Well, Jake, let’s remember that Vance is not running as a traditional Republican. He’s trying to be the heir to Trump’s economic populism. He’s going to make a big play for working-class voters—especially in the Midwest. And this is where the Democratic nominee, whoever they are, has to be really careful.

If Blank is the nominee, he needs to prove that he’s not just another centrist who will protect the economic status quo. If Jujutsu-Kaisen is the nominee, he has to show that his policies are practical and won’t scare off moderates. If Blake somehow pulls off a miracle at the convention, he’ll have to define himself as something more than just a populist protest candidate.

The problem with a contested convention is that it delays the process of unifying behind a single economic message. And while Democrats are figuring that out, Vance will be running on his version of economic populism—and we know that kind of rhetoric works.

Jake Tapper: Prime Minister Major, last question to you—how should the Democratic Party handle this convention to avoid damaging itself heading into the general election?

John Major: Well, Jake, the most important thing is that the party does not allow this to become an ideological purity test. That is what doomed the British Labour Party for many years—when they tore themselves apart over who was the true left-wing leader, they failed to win elections.

If Democrats want to beat JD Vance, they need to avoid the trap of thinking this is about one wing of the party defeating another. It is about choosing someone who can unite the coalition and win.

So my advice to Democratic leaders is simple: move quickly, compromise where necessary, and project competence. Anything else, and they are walking into the general election divided—and no party wins when it is divided.

Jake Tapper: Paul Krugman, Prime Minister John Major, thank you both for your insights. As we head toward what is sure to be a dramatic Democratic convention, stay with CNN for all the latest developments.