Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has been elected as the 111th mayor of New York City, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate 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 mayor 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, sparking celebrations at the Brooklyn Paramount. His victory was part of a broader Democratic success across the country, including Abigail Spanberger becoming Virginia's first female governor and Mikie Sherrill winning in New Jersey.
Mamdani's campaign focused on affordability, proposing rent freezes, increased affordable housing, a $30 minimum wage, free buses, and higher taxes on the wealthy. His grassroots effort, powered by small donations and thousands of volunteers, gained momentum after he defeated Cuomo in the June Democratic primary by nearly 13 points. Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations he denies, remained in the race as an independent but trailed consistently in polls.
Mamdani received endorsements from prominent progressives including Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jerry Nadler, Letitia James, and Governor Kathy Hochul. However, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand did not endorse in the race. Current mayor Eric Adams, who had sought re-election as an independent, dropped out in September.
