Zohran Mamdani was elected New York City’s 111th mayor, marking the end of a closely followed election that transformed the once little-known state assemblyman into a major political force. The 34-year-old democratic socialist captured voters’ attention with his campaign centered on making life in America’s largest city more affordable.
Mamdani defeated both Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary—a race he initially entered as the clear favorite. The election also drew national attention when President Donald Trump endorsed Cuomo on the eve of the vote and warned he would consider cutting federal funding to New York City if Mamdani won.
After securing victory, Mamdani delivered a defiant speech that positioned him as Trump’s political foil. “In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light. Together, we will usher in a generation of change, and if we embrace this brave new course, rather than fleeing from it, we can respond to oligarchy and authoritarianism with the strength it fears, not the appeasement it craves,” he continued, later issuing a direct challenge to the former president “This is not only how we stop Trump, it’s how we stop the next one,” Mamdani said. “So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.”
The rally in Brooklyn saw Mamdani opening his remarks by quoting the famed American socialist Eugene Debs and promised to deliver the “most ambitious agenda” to tackle the city’s affordability crisis since Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia’s administration nearly a century ago.
Unofficial results show Mamdani winning by roughly nine points over Cuomo, with Sliwa far behind. Current Mayor Eric Adams, who launched an independent bid for reelection after his 2021 win as a Democrat, exited the race in September and later endorsed Cuomo.
Mamdani’s triumph caps a remarkable ascent through New York politics. Just a year earlier, he was an obscure lawmaker with little name recognition. In a short time, he managed to topple one of New York’s most established political figures twice—first in the Democratic primary and again in the general election.
Now Mamdani faces the challenge of turning his sweeping campaign promises into reality while leading one of the most complex city governments in the world. His agenda includes freezing rent for stabilized apartments, expanding universal child care, introducing a free citywide bus program, and establishing municipally run grocery stores.
Mamdani’s win is expected to reshape New York politics and reverberate across the national stage. His success has sparked interest among Democrats searching for new strategies to connect with voters on economic issues and harness social media to build grassroots movements.
NBC News exit polls showed that Mamdani’s message resonated broadly across racial lines—winning majorities among white, Black, Latino, Asian, and multiracial voters. Age, however, revealed a sharp divide: voters under 45 favored Mamdani over Cuomo by a wide 43-point margin, while those over 45 supported Cuomo by 10 points.
Educational background and residency also played a role, with newer arrivals to New York largely backing Mamdani, while lifelong residents leaned toward Cuomo. Meanwhile, Mamdani’s outspoken support for Palestinian causes became a key issue during the race. Exit polling found Jewish voters favored Cuomo by 29 points, 60% to 31%.
After conceding, Cuomo addressed supporters alongside prominent allies, including Eric Adams, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and former Governor David Paterson. He thanked his backers and described his campaign as a necessary stand. “This campaign was the right fight to wage,” Cuomo said. “And I am proud of what we did and what we did together. This campaign was to contest the philosophies that are shaping the Democratic Party, the future of this city and the future of this country. And this coalition transcended normal partisan politics.”
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