Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has been elected the 111th mayor of New York City, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. The 34-year-old state assembly member from Queens becomes the city's first Muslim mayor, first mayor of south Asian descent, and the youngest in over a century.
Mamdani secured more than 50% of the vote, with Cuomo finishing second at just over 40% and Sliwa receiving just over 7%. The Associated Press called the race in his favour, prompting celebrations at his election night party at the Brooklyn Paramount.
His grassroots campaign, fuelled by small-dollar donations and a strong social media presence, focused on affordability. His platform included freezing rents on rent-stabilised units, building more affordable housing, raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour, making buses free, and increasing taxes on the city's wealthiest residents.
Mamdani defeated Cuomo in the June Democratic primary by nearly 13 points, galvanising a diverse coalition of young and first-time voters. After his primary loss, Cuomo launched an independent campaign but consistently trailed in polls.
Prominent endorsements came from Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jerry Nadler, Letitia James, Kathy Hochul, and Hakeem Jeffries. However, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand did not endorse in the race.
