Zohran Mamdani, 34, late on Tuesday secured a decisive victory in the 2025 New York City mayoral election, becoming the city’s first Muslim, first person of South Asian heritage, and youngest mayor in over a century.
Heading into Election Day on Nov. 4, Mamdani had maintained a solid lead in the race against former governor Andrew Cuomo, who was contesting as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. A late-October Marist poll showed Mamdani at 48%, Cuomo at 32% and Sliwa at 16% among likely voters. Other tracking showed Mamdani leading by double digits and the betting markets treating him as the near-sure winner.
On polling day, Mamdani crossed the 50% threshold, with Cuomo finishing around the low 40’s and Sliwa in the single digits.
Victory speech
Mamdani opened his victory speech in Brooklyn with a quote: “The sun may have set over our city this evening … but as Eugene Debs once said, ‘I can see the dawn of a better day for humanity.’”
He then went on to strike a defiant tone toward his former foe Cuomo as well as national politics. “My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty. I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life, but let tonight be the final time I utter his name as we turn the page on a politics that abandons the many and answers only to the few,” he said.
He also called out U.S. President Donald Trump, who had labeled Mamdani a “communist” and threatened to withhold federal funding from New York if he won. Stressing that New Yorkers were best placed to chart out a way to Trump’s downfall, as the city had been responsible for his rise, he said: “Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching—turn the volume up.”
He also framed his win in immigrant terms, while thanking his family and supporters. “New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant,” he added.
Controversial campaign
Mamdani’s campaign was not without turbulence. Early on, he faced waves of Islamophobic attacks, as critics slung online slurs and conspiracy-laden content at him for his Muslim identity and South Asian heritage. He also drew criticism from Jewish and pro-Israel groups for past statements and associations, including his refusal to fully denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada,” which opponents argued signaled support for violent resistance. Mamdani maintained he opposed incitement to violence.
On policy, his bold agenda calling for rent freezes for rent-stabilized units, fare-free city buses, universal childcare, and sharply increased taxes on the wealthy alarmed fiscal conservatives and business leaders who warned of budget strain and economic risk. In recent weeks, conservatives have claimed his policies could trigger an exodus from Manhattan, though there is little indication as yet of this threat materializing.
Even among the Democratic Party, Mamdani face some resistance, with some of its senior leadership expressing concerns his democratic-socialist platform could alienate moderate voters and make the party vulnerable.
New year, new mayor
As mayor-elect, Mamdani assumes office on Jan. 1, 2026, in a city facing a deep affordability crisis, rising public-safety concerns, and fiscal constraints. Observers note his ambitious agenda could reshape city government but would likely face fierce pushback from opposing forces.