New York City elected Democrat Zohran Mamdani as its next mayor on Tuesday, delivering a landmark victory for the 34-year-old state assemblyman and self-described democratic socialist who ran on an affordability-focused agenda and a promise to shift power toward working-class residents. With more than 2 million ballots cast - the largest mayoral turnout since 1969 - Mamdani secured roughly 50% of the vote, defeating independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Taking the stage after 11 p.m. at his campaign's celebration in Brooklyn, Mamdani told supporters, "New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city that we can afford and a mandate for a government that delivers exactly that." The crowd erupted when he turned to the national spotlight and remarked, "So Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up."
Mamdani's win also makes him the city's first Muslim mayor, its first mayor of South Asian heritage, and the youngest to take office in more than a century. "The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from the perfect candidate. I am young, despite my best efforts to grow older. I am Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this," he said earlier in the evening.
Trump, who had endorsed Cuomo and warned that a Mamdani administration could lead to federal funding cuts, posted "...AND SO IT BEGINS!" on his Truth Social account as results became clear.
Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid a sexual harassment scandal, sought a political comeback by running as an independent. He conceded on Tuesday night, telling supporters, "This campaign was the right fight to wage," while adding, "It's also important to note that almost half of New Yorkers did vote to support a government agenda that makes promises that we know cannot be met."
Sliwa, finishing a distant third, offered a measured concession. "Good luck because if he does well, we do well," he said - before issuing a warning: "Let me warn the new leader, if you try to implement socialism, if you try to render our police weak and impotent, if you forsake the people's public safety, we're not only organizing, but we are mobilizing."
Mamdani's rise was fueled by grassroots organizing, social media outreach, and an affordability message centered on proposals including rent freezes, expanded childcare access, and free city bus service. His campaign avoided detailed funding explanations during debates, prompting criticism that his agenda may collide with budget constraints and the political realities of Albany.
Addressing Trump's repeated threats to intervene in city governance, Mamdani told supporters, "New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and as of tonight, led by an immigrant." He will be sworn in on January 1.
