Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, has been elected mayor of New York City.
Mamdani, who will become the first Muslim mayor in the city’s history, triumphed over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in a fiercely contested race that captured national attention.
The election was called shortly after polls closed at 9 p.m., following a record voter turnout, the highest in a New York mayoral race since 1969, with more than two million ballots cast before the close of voting.
Born in Uganda, Mamdani’s rise from a relatively unknown state assemblymember to the incoming mayor of New York City has stunned political observers and disrupted the traditional political establishment.
His campaign, built around progressive and socialist ideals, has sparked widespread debate about the city’s future direction.
U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier described Mamdani as a “communist,” warning that his administration could cut off federal funding to New York should the Democrat take office.
Trump had publicly endorsed Cuomo, his longtime political rival, during the campaign.
A recent poll conducted by JL Partners for the Daily Mail revealed unease among residents about Mamdani’s victory.
According to the survey, nine percent of New Yorkers said they would “definitely” leave the city if he won, while an additional 25 percent, about 2.12 million people, said they would “consider” relocating.
