NEW YORK CITY — Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has been elected as New York City’s 111th mayor, completing a remarkable political ascent that saw the 34-year-old state assemblyman defeat former Governor Andrew Cuomo for the second time in five months.
With projections called late Tuesday night, Mamdani secured a decisive victory over Cuomo, who ran as an independent candidate, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in what became one of the most closely watched mayoral races in recent New York history.
A Campaign Built on Affordability
Mamdani’s campaign centered on making America’s largest city more affordable for working-class residents. His platform included ambitious proposals such as:
- Freezing rent increases for the city’s one million rent-stabilized apartments
- Providing free bus service across all city routes
- Implementing universal childcare for children aged six weeks to five years
- Opening city-owned grocery stores to combat rising food prices
- Building 200,000 new affordable housing units
- Raising the minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030
To fund these initiatives, Mamdani has proposed a 2% tax increase on residents earning over $1 million annually and raising corporate tax rates, though implementation will require approval from Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature.
Breaking Barriers
The Uganda-born politician, who immigrated to New York City at age seven, will become the city’s first Muslim mayor, first South Asian mayor, and youngest mayor since 1892. Mamdani, who became a U.S. citizen in 2018, has served as a state assemblyman representing Queens’ 36th district since 2021.
“My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty,” Mamdani declared in his victory speech at Brooklyn Paramount Theater before a crowd of thousands. “In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light.”
Defeating a Political Dynasty
Mamdani’s path to City Hall involved unseating one of New York’s most prominent political families. He first defeated Cuomo in June’s Democratic primary, an upset that shocked the political establishment, as Cuomo had been the early frontrunner after announcing his comeback bid in March following his 2021 resignation amid sexual harassment allegations.
The victory marked a generational shift in New York politics, with exit polls showing voters under 45 overwhelmingly backing Mamdani by a 43-point margin, while voters over 45 favored Cuomo by 10 points.
National Attention and Trump’s Opposition
The race drew unprecedented national attention, including intervention from President Donald Trump, who endorsed Cuomo the night before the election and threatened to withhold federal funding from New York City if Mamdani won.
In his victory speech, Mamdani addressed Trump directly: “So, Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up.”
Trump later acknowledged the Republican Party “had a bad night,” though he downplayed the significance of the loss in what he called “very Democrat areas.”
Progressive Coalition and Celebrity Support
Mamdani’s campaign attracted significant progressive backing, including endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. His election night celebration drew prominent figures including Ocasio-Cortez, New York Attorney General Letitia James, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and actor Cynthia Nixon.
The assemblyman also garnered support from numerous celebrities, with public endorsements from Lupita Nyong’o, Emily Ratajkowski, Hari Nef, and Bowen Yang.
Internationally, London Mayor Sadiq Khan congratulated Mamdani, saying: “New Yorkers faced a clear choice, between hope and fear, and just like we have seen in London, hope won.”
Challenges Ahead
As mayor-elect, Mamdani faces significant challenges in implementing his ambitious agenda. Critics have questioned the feasibility of his proposals, particularly concerns about potential job losses from the $30 minimum wage, revenue impacts from free bus service, and the massive costs associated with universal childcare and affordable housing construction.
City Comptroller Brad Lander, who ran against Mamdani in the primary but later allied with him, defended the mayor-elect’s approach: “What Zohran is showing is that it’s worth putting up big bold ideas for change, standing up and fighting for them, and that’s pretty hopeful.”
Personal Background
Mamdani’s parents are political science professor Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair. He attended the prestigious Bronx High School of Science before earning a degree in Africana studies from Bowdoin College in 2014.
Before entering politics, Mamdani worked as a housing counselor assisting low-income homeowners in Queens and briefly pursued a music career under the stage name Mr Cardamom.
He is married to artist Rama Duwaji, 28, who will become the youngest First Lady in New York City history. The couple, who met on the dating app Hinge in 2021, married in a civil ceremony at City Hall and recently celebrated with a ceremony in Uganda.
Looking Forward
Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor on January 1, 2026, succeeding Eric Adams, who withdrew from the race in September but remained on the ballot.
In concluding his victory speech, Mamdani quoted former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, American socialist leader Eugene V. Debs, and former Governor Mario Cuomo before declaring: “New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and as of tonight led by an immigrant.”
The election saw the highest voter turnout in decades, driven largely by significant youth voter registration and engagement throughout the campaign.
