Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist and state assemblyman, has been elected as the new mayor of New York City, according to NBC News projections. His campaign inspired progressives across the city while drawing strong criticism from former President Donald Trump, Republicans, and some moderate Democrats.
Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Current Mayor Eric Adams, who had tried for re-election as an independent, exited the race in September and later endorsed Cuomo.
A Rapid Rise in Politics
Zohran Mamdani’s victory marks a stunning rise in New York politics. Just a year ago, he was a relatively unknown assemblyman. Now, he is set to lead the largest city in the United States. His campaign focused on affordability, housing, and public services—issues that deeply resonated with young and working-class voters.
Among his proposed policies are freezing rent on rent-stabilized units, starting universal child care, making city buses free, and opening city-run grocery stores.
Connecting With Voters
During a rally in Queens before Election Day, Mamdani recalled how his campaign began with little attention. “When we started, there wasn’t a single TV camera,” he said, joking that his early polling numbers were “tied with someone called ‘someone else.’”
That grassroots story helped him connect with younger voters. According to NBC News exit polls, people under 45 supported Mamdani by a 43-point margin over Cuomo. Older voters favored Cuomo by about 10 points.
Diverse Support Across New York
Exit polls showed Mamdani gained backing across racial lines, including white, Black, Latino, Asian, and other groups. Education level and local background also influenced voting patterns, with newer residents leaning more toward Mamdani’s platform.
Faith and Controversy
Mamdani’s faith and activism were central to the campaign’s narrative. He faced criticism for his pro-Palestinian stance, which became a key election issue. NBC News polling found Jewish voters preferred Cuomo over Mamdani, 60% to 31%.
In the final weeks, the race grew heated. Cuomo labeled Mamdani a “divisive force,” while Mamdani called Cuomo “Trump’s puppet.” Trump later endorsed Cuomo, warning that votes for Sliwa would split the field in Mamdani’s favor.
Making History
Mamdani’s win makes him the first Muslim mayor in New York City history. In an emotional speech last month, he condemned the “racist and baseless” attacks on his faith. His victory is being seen as a major moment for representation in U.S. politics and a reflection of shifting urban voter priorities.
Now, as Mamdani prepares to take office, he faces the challenge of turning bold campaign promises into real change while uniting a city divided by politics and identity.
Source: NBC News – New York City Mayor Election 2025
