Zohran Mamdani has been elected mayor of New York City, defeating Andrew Cuomo in a stunning upset. In his victory speech, Mamdani declared that the working people of the city had 'toppled a political dynasty' and promised a mandate for change and affordability.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, emphasised that power had been taken from the wealthy and well-connected and placed in the hands of ordinary New Yorkers. He thanked a diverse coalition of supporters, including Yemeni bodega owners, Mexican grandmothers, Senegalese taxi drivers, and Uzbek nurses, saying 'this city is your city'.
The mayor-elect highlighted the struggles of working people, such as a union organiser who commutes from Pennsylvania due to high rents, and a taxi driver who still works seven days a week. He vowed to make New York 'a city that working people can love and live in again'.
Mamdani will be sworn in on 1 January. He acknowledged the cynicism that has defined politics but urged New Yorkers to 'breathe this moment in', describing the city as 'reborn'. He thanked his campaign team, parents, and wife, Rama, for their support.
