At 34, Zohran Mamdani has secured victory in New York City’s mayoral election, energizing young voters and sparking debate over the Democratic Party’s future direction.
Ugandan-born Mamdani, a Democrat, beat previous New York Senator Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, to become the youngest individual in over a century to lead the biggest city in the US.
“My companions, we have toppled a political tradition,” the self-described equitable communist told the swarm amid a triumph speech.
Democrats also won congressional races in Virginia and New Jersey. At the same time, California voters approved a measure to redraw the state’s congressional districts ahead of next year’s midterms.
Mamdani focused on fairness throughout his campaign. He promised to expand social programs funded by new taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations.
In New York, he remained a relatively obscure figure within the state party. His campaign gained momentum online a few months ago, helping him win the Republican primary over the summer.
Mamdani has become the first South Asian and Muslim to lead the city. In his triumph discourse, he talked of a “modern age.”
“For as long as we can remember, wealthy and well-connected people have told New York’s working individuals that they cannot hold power,” Mamdani said.
“The future is in our hands,” he said, vowing to make a government that works “for everyone.”
Mamdani’s campaign has drawn critical national consideration, including from US President Donald Trump, who recently warned voters against Mamdani and threatened to withhold government funds from New York if he won.
The president calls Mamdani a communist — a name that Mamdani rejects.
In overnight projections from BBC News accomplice CBS, Mamdani had secured 50.3% of the vote, compared with Cuomo’s 41.6%. Republican Curtis Sliwa had a fair lead of over 7%. In no time after the victor was anticipated, Sliwa conceded.
“We have a mayor-elect,” Sliwa told a bunch of supporters. “I clearly wish him good luck. If he succeeds, we all benefit.”
Cuomo also conceded the race. He praised Mamdani, even as some supporters booed.
Cuomo noted that nearly half of New Yorkers did not vote for Mamdani. He added that his rival had made promises that cannot be fulfilled.
There are questions over how Mamdani will pay for his yearning social motivation, and faultfinders have addressed how a lawmaker with no official involvement will handle an antagonistic Trump administration.
On Tuesday night, Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson censured the “results” of New York City’s choice on social media stage X. “Zohran Mamdani’s decision cements the Democrat Party’s change to a radical, big-government communist party,” he wrote.
The president, too, posted on social media, faulting the shutdown and his not showing up on the poll for Republican misfortunes Tuesday night.
More Democratic Victories as California Redraws Voting Districts
Centrist Democrats won key congressional races on Tuesday night. Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill captured seats in Virginia and New Jersey, respectively.
Observers saw the races as a reflection of Americans’ opinions on national policies. This was notable, even though New Jersey consistently votes Democratic.
California voters approved a measure to redraw political districts in favor of Democrats. The move responded to similar efforts by conservative-led states in the nationwide battle for control of the US House.
Prop 50 aims to redraw the state’s voting districts. The goal is to give Democrats a stronger chance to win five US House seats from Republicans in next year’s midterms.
Whether the degree will tip the balance of control in Washington remains unclear.
Questions for the Democratic Party’s Future
Mamdani’s win in New York presents a situation for the Majority Rule Foundation, which has been hesitant to underwrite him. Mamdani was still favored to win his race, having led his rivals in the polls by double digits for weeks before election day. Only a month earlier, he had been a relatively obscure figure.
Few could have anticipated his rise from hip-hop artist and housing advisor to frontrunner for a city with a $116bn (£88bn) budget under global scrutiny.
The former New York assemblyman focused his campaign on cost-of-living issues in one of the nation’s most expensive cities. He advocated for universal childcare and faster, free public transportation.
His candidacy drew criticism from business leaders and centrist Democrats. Some did not endorse him, including prominent New Yorker and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Republicans have used Mamdani’s notoriety to portray the Democratic Party as increasingly left-leaning. Trump echoed this point while threatening to withhold federal funds from New York City.
