Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist whose focus on working-class issues and magnetic campaign style turned him from political unknown to national spotlight, has won New York City’s mayoral race.
Mamdani defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the second time, crushing the political dynasty’s hopes of a comeback after losing to Mamdani in the June Democratic primary. Republican Curtis Sliwa also ran in the general election, staying in the race despite pressure from Cuomo allies to consolidate opposition to Mamdani.
The victory signals a major win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party at a moment when the party is divided over how to counter President Donald Trump, who, a native New Yorker himself, has called Mamdani a “communist” and suggested he’d “take over” the city if elected.
The win elevates both Mamdani’s profile and his platform, including proposals to freeze rent for New Yorkers in rent-stabilized apartments, make public buses free, and provide universal childcare funded by higher taxes on the wealthy.
For Mamdani, the victory caps a meteoric rise. A three-term state assemblyman, he launched his mayoral bid just a year ago with a promise to make one of the nation’s most expensive cities affordable for working-class residents. With this win, he will become New York City’s first Muslim mayor, the first South Asian mayor, and one of the youngest in modern history.
A Campaign Focused on Affordability
Mamdani ran on a simple but powerful message: Make New York City affordable for working people. By mid-summer, after shocking Cuomo with a nearly 13-point upset in the Democratic primary, Mamdani’s rally crowds could finish his sentences for him. He was running to freeze the… “rent!” Make buses fast and… “free!” And deliver universal… “child care!”
“These are not just slogans, these are commitments,” Mamdani said at a massive rally in Queens’ Forest Hills Stadium ahead of the election. “We say them not simply to inspire, but because it’s what we will deliver.”
Mamdani’s platform went far beyond slogans. He focused on the over 2 million New Yorkers living in rent-stabilized apartments, those struggling with slow public transport, and families burdened by the high cost of childcare. His proposals included free childcare for children aged six weeks to five years, one city-run grocery store per borough, accelerating affordable housing construction, and easing regulations on even market-rate development.
He acknowledged he’ll need cooperation from Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Democratic-majority state legislature, specifically to approve tax increases on corporations and the wealthy to fund his plans.
Cuomo, the son of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, ran on experience and pragmatism, but left office in 2021 under a cloud of sexual harassment allegations (which he denies). Mamdani directly challenged Cuomo’s record on the campaign trail:
“What I don’t have in experience I make up for in integrity, and what you don’t have in integrity you could never make up for in experience,” he told Cuomo during a recent debate.
A Campaign Like No Other
Mamdani combined his progressive agenda with a relentless ground game and a savvy media strategy. He released viral ads interviewing Trump voters, plunging into the Atlantic to illustrate his rent freeze proposal, highlighting “halal-flation” caused by scarce street food permits, and walking the length of Manhattan.
He produced ads in English, Spanish, Bangla, Urdu/Hindi, and Arabic, gave an interview to a Yiddish newspaper, and ran outreach in Chinese. Mamdani appeared at concerts, drag shows, religious ceremonies, nightclubs, sports games, and even on the sidelines of the NYC Marathon — connecting with New Yorkers from all walks of life.
Mamdani’s campaign was supported by political parties like the Democratic Socialists of America and the Working Families Party, along with community groups including DRUM Beats (Desis Rising Up and Moving) and CAAAV Voice (the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence).
From an underdog candidate to the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani’s historic victory signals not just a personal triumph, but a potential turning point for progressive politics in America’s largest city.
