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Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian to hold the office, according to a projection by The Associated Press.
Mamdani, 34, defeated Independent candidate and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in what marks a historic victory for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
Cuomo congratulated Mamdani, saying at an election-night rally that “tonight was their night, and as they start to transition to government, we will all help any way we can.”
“We will unite for New York City, because we love New York City, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you,” he told supporters.
A self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani campaigned on affordability and expanded social services, promising free buses, universal child care, city-run grocery stores, rent-stabilized housing and a plan to increase the minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030 from $16.50.
He has said the agenda would be funded by raising the corporate tax rate to 11.5%, matching neighboring New Jersey, and imposing a 2% income tax on earners making more than $1 million a year.
Mamdani has also pledged to order the New York Police Department to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the city, citing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations called Mamdani’s win a “historic turning point” for Muslim Americans.
“Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s ability to win while openly advocating for Palestinian human rights and experiencing a barrage of anti-Muslim hate also marks a historic rebuke of both Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism in politics,” CAIR said in a statement.
Early Wednesday, Mamdani pledged to deliver on his central message of making the city more affordable, and said his administration would serve as a model for Democrats nationally as they seek to defeat former President Donald Trump.
Wishing Cuomo well as he returns to private life, Mamdani said, “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.”
“We will usher in a generation of change,” Mamdani said, calling on supporters to embrace a “brave new course.”
“If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him,” he added to cheers at the Paramount Theater in Brooklyn.
Mamdani holds more than 50% of the vote with 91% counted, according to the AP.
Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian to hold the office, according to a projection by The Associated Press. ( Lokman Vural Elibol - Anadolu Agency )">
Trump had endorsed Cuomo after urging Sliwa to withdraw, and threatened to cut federal funding if Mamdani—whom he called a “communist”—won.
Mamdani repeated his platform Wednesday, again citing free public buses, universal childcare, city-run grocery stores and a significant wage increase.
He also reiterated his vow to order the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu if he enters the city.
Mamdani told supporters he would work to unite New Yorkers and “refuse to allow those who traffic in division and hate to pit us against one another.”
“We will build a City Hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers… and where the more than 1 million Muslims know that they belong,” he said. “No more will New York be a city where you can traffic in Islamophobia and win an election.”
His victory followed sustained attacks from conservative commentators, business donors and Trump.
“In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light,” he said.
Democratic victories in governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey signaled shifting political momentum ahead of next year’s midterms, when control of Congress is at stake.
In California, voters approved a ballot measure to redraw electoral districts in response to gerrymandering in other states.
Trump declined to take blame for the losses, instead pointing to the government shutdown and his absence on ballots.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “Democrats are smoking Donald Trump and Republican extremists throughout the country,” posting on X that “the Democratic Party is back.”
Mamdani, a state lawmaker representing Queens, built his campaign on cost-of-living issues, grassroots outreach and an informal social-media-driven style. His upset primary win over Cuomo powered momentum into the general election.
At Mamdani’s Brooklyn campaign event, supporters celebrated at a packed concert venue.
Sliwa placed third after refusing requests to bow out from Cuomo loyalists hoping to consolidate votes. Business figures, including Bill Ackman, backed Cuomo and engaged in public attacks on Mamdani, while conservative outlets, including the New York Post, sharply criticized him.
Voter turnout reached 1.45 million by 3 p.m.—higher than the total in the 2021 race.
Mamdani’s victory deepens debate within the Democratic Party over its political direction—center-left or progressive.
Syracuse University political scientist Grant Reeher noted before the results that Mayor-elect Mamdani would face an “uphill battle” leading a politically charged city.
“Everybody’s got their knives out, and it’s a very difficult city to govern,” he said.
Some Cuomo supporters predicted Trump would use federal power against the city, while others blamed Sliwa for splitting the center-right vote.
In Virginia and New Jersey, Democrats Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger won key races, buoyed by national party support.
Former President Barack Obama cheered the results, saying, “We’ve still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little bit brighter.”
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