Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and state assemblymember whose charisma and relentless focus on affordability fueled a grassroots movement that forged a new Democratic coalition, was elected Tuesday as New York City’s 111th mayor.
His historic win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa will make Mamdani the first person of South Asian descent and the first Muslim to lead the city. At 34 years old, the Queens lawmaker will also be the city’s youngest mayor in more than a century.
Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, claimed just above 50% of the vote with an estimated 90% of ballots counted, according to the Associated Press, which called the race just after 9:30 p.m. Cuomo, a Democrat who ran on an independent line, received 42%, with Sliwa capturing just 7%.
Mamdani will succeed Mayor Eric Adams, who skipped the Democratic primary and eventually dropped out of the general election. He delivered a victory speech at the Brooklyn Paramount, painting his win as a symbol of New York City’s rebirth and a “mandate for change.”
Independent mayoral candidate, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers his concession speech during an election-night party in Midtown Manhattan.
“ Thank you to the next generation of New Yorkers who refuse to accept that the promise of a better future was a relic of the past,” he said. “You showed that when politics speaks to you without condescension, we can usher in a new era of leadership.”
The result ends a contentious and at times chaotic mayoral race. Mamdani’s main rival was Cuomo, whom he defeated in the Democratic primary. The former governor then ran as an independent in the general election in hopes of making a political comeback after resigning over a sexual harassment scandal.
It also represents a generational and leftward shift that has upended the Democratic establishment and divided New York’s top political leaders. A democratic socialist backed by the left’s biggest stars, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Mamdani will make the city a nationally watched testing ground for progressive politics. He has promised to freeze the rent in rent-stabilized units, make buses free and faster, and provide universal child care and city-run grocery stores.
Mamdani’s campaign focused on energizing younger voters who turned out in droves, with voter turnout higher than it has been for a mayoral race in decades.
More than 2 million voters cast a ballot, according to unofficial tallies from the New York City Board of Elections. That surpassed the turnout for every city mayoral election since 1969, including the 1.1 million votes cast in the 2021 race.
Zohran Mamdani supporters in Corona reacted with joy when the race was called.
As the news of Mamdani’s win filtered through his victory party, the crowd erupted in cheers. Many people appeared to be taken off guard that the race was called so early.
“I think this campaign brought out a whole new group of voters, created incredible energy, gave people a sense of purpose and hope for our city,” former Mayor Bill de Blasio said at Mamdani’s party. “I mean, it's just everything you can ask for.”
Tuesday’s result marked an end to Cuomo’s first attempt at a return to elective office since resigning as governor amid a sexual-harassment scandal in 2021.
The former governor launched his campaign in March as a major frontrunner in the polls, in part because of his universal name recognition. But voters ultimately rejected him twice.
Cuomo largely struck a defiant tone in his concession speech at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan, where he rehashed much of his campaign’s criticism of Mamdani and the direction of the Democratic Party. Cuomo painted his 42% share of the vote as something of a moral victory.
“It's … important to note that almost half of New Yorkers did not vote to support a government agenda that makes promises that we know cannot be met,” Cuomo said.
Mamdani supporters packed the Brooklyn Paramount where he was set to deliver a victory speech.
But Cuomo also chastised his supporters when they began to boo the mayor-elect.
“That is not right, and that is not us. Tonight was their night,” Cuomo said.
There was little love lost on Mamdani’s end, too. In his speech, he wished Cuomo “only the best in private life.”
“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 a few,” Mamdani said.
The closing weeks of the race hinted at challenges to come for the mayor-elect.
Mamdani will face immediate pushback from President Donald Trump, a Republican who has labeled Mamdani a “communist” and said he planned to withhold federal funding to New York City. The president endorsed Cuomo on Monday and has threatened to send National Guard troops into the city should Mamdani win.
Mamdani supporters in Corona, Queens celebrate his victory.
Mamdani has vowed to battle Trump’s agenda, devoting part of his victory speech to directly address the president’s tough stance on immigration.
“Donald Trump, because I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up,” he said to raucous applause.
The mayor-elect also faced Islamophobic attacks from his rivals and critics. Cuomo laughed at a radio host’s wisecrack that Mamdani could not be trusted to lead the city during a terrorist attack. Cuomo’s campaign released an AI-generated video showing Mamdani eating with his hands in a crime-ridden hellscape. Sliwa, meanwhile, inaccurately said Mamdani supported “global jihad.”
In his concession speech, Sliwa wished Mamdani well. But the Republican candidate said he’d become the mayor-elect’s “worst enemy” if he goes astray.
“If you try to implement socialism, if you try to render our police weak and impotent, if you forsake people's public safety — we are not only organizing, but we are mobilizing,” he said.
Bangladeshi supporters in Kensington cheered after Zohran Mamdani was declared the next mayor.
Mamdani will have to confront divisions in the city’s Jewish community over his rhetoric on Israel. After his primary win, Mamdani said he would discourage use of the phrase “Globalize the intifada.” But the candidate has said he does not support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, a position that represents a sharp departure from previous mayors.
The new mayor will also face challenges on how to fund his agenda. Mamdani has said he wants to raise taxes on the top 1% of income earners and corporations. But Gov. Kathy Hochul has repeatedly opposed income tax increases as she faces re-election next year, despite endorsing Mamdani.
“Just spoke to Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani and told him I’m looking forward to working together to make our city more affordable and livable,” Hochul posted on X late Tuesday.
The mayor’s race wasn’t the only citywide election on the ballot.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams cruised to reelection against Republican Gonzalo Duran, while Democrat Mark Levine defeated Republican Peter Kefalas for city comptroller.
City voters also voted on races for borough president, City Council, judicial positions and more, depending on where they live.
Mamdani and the other citywide winners will be sworn in on Jan. 1.
The mayor vowed to assist Mamdani and his team with his transition into office.
“This is our democracy, and as our democracy we will move together to ensure this city is a city that hears the voices of everyone,” Adams said in a video on social media.
Includes reporting by Giulia Heyward, Clayton Guse and Liam Quigley.
