Zohran Mamdani has made history by becoming the 111th mayor of New York City. The 34-year-old state legislator from Queens is the first Muslim and South Asian to ever hold the office, and the youngest mayor the city has seen in more than 100 years.
The Democratic socialist secured a decisive victory on Tuesday. According to CBS News, Mamdani earned 1,035,645 votes (50.4%), defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent and received 854,783 votes (41.6%), and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, who garnered 146,127 votes (7.1%).
Mamdani’s win not only ends Cuomo’s political comeback bid but also represents a generational and ideological shift within the Democratic Party. The race drew national attention, particularly after US President Donald Trump intervened in the final stretch, labeling Mamdani a “Jew hater.”
Born in Uganda to an Indian family, Mamdani moved to the United States at age seven and became a naturalized citizen in 2018.
In his victory speech, Mamdani told cheering supporters, “Hope is alive. We won because New Yorkers believed the impossible could be made possible.”
He quoted India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, saying, “A moment comes, but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new.”
Vowing to build an inclusive city, Mamdani declared that New York would no longer be a place “where one can traffic in Islamophobia and win an election,” promising to make the city a “light in this moment of political darkness.”
He also addressed Trump directly: “Donald Trump, since I know you are watching, I have four words for you — turn the volume up!”
Mamdani pledged to dismantle what he called a “culture of corruption” that benefits billionaires. “We will stand with unions and strengthen labor protections because when working people have rights, the bosses who exploit them shrink to size,” he said.
He vowed to represent immigrants, the trans community, single mothers, and working-class families, adding that his administration would “stand firm with Jewish New Yorkers” and ensure that “over one million Muslims know they belong.”
Mamdani ended his speech with the words, “This power is yours. This city belongs to you,” as the Bollywood anthem “Dhoom Machale” played over the speakers.
Former President Bill Clinton congratulated Mamdani, wishing him success in turning “the passion of your campaign into a fairer, more affordable New York.”
Hillary Clinton highlighted record voter turnout, noting that “more people voted in New York City’s election this year than they have in 50 years.”
Senator Bernie Sanders praised the win as “one of the greatest political upsets in modern American history,” while Barack Obama applauded Democratic victories nationwide, saying they prove that “when we unite around forward-looking leaders, we can win.”