Zohran Mamdani has won the race to lead the largest city in the United States, New York City, capping a heated contest that grabbed the world’s attention.
His victory in the mayoral election on Tuesday marks a historic moment for the city of more than 8.4 million people, an economic and cultural powerhouse with international prominence. Mamdani will be the first Muslim, the first person of South Asian descent and the first person born in Africa to lead the city.
Zohran Mamdani delivered a defiant victory speech in Brooklyn on Tuesday night after defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race, marking one of the most significant political upsets in recent city history.
Speaking to a packed crowd at the Brooklyn Paramount, the 34-year-old Democratic socialist promised sweeping change and a “new age” for New York.
“The sun may have set over our city this evening,” he said, quoting American socialist Eugene Debs, “but I can see the dawn of a better day for humanity.”
“Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands,” the 34-year-old state assemblyman and newly minted mayor-elect told a crowd of cheering supporters. “My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty.”
“New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city we can afford,” he said.
With 90 percent of the votes counted, Mamdani had a 9-percentage-point lead over Cuomo, receiving 1,033,471 votes, compared with the former governor’s 852,032 votes. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa had won about 7 percent of the tallied votes.
Mamdani’s campaign centered on housing affordability, childcare, and public transit. In his remarks, he pledged to freeze rent increases for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments, provide universal childcare, and make buses “fast and free.”
He told supporters, “In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light.”
The speech drew sustained applause from supporters, many wearing yellow campaign caps and T-shirts. According to his campaign, more than 100,000 volunteers worked to mobilize voters across the five boroughs.“This city is your city, and this democracy is yours too,” he said.
Mamdani’s victory came despite opposition from President Donald Trump, who endorsed Cuomo in the final days of the campaign.
Trump had described Mamdani as “a communist threat” and warned he would reconsider federal funding to the city if Mamdani were elected.
In his address, Mamdani responded directly to Trump, saying, “Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up.”
He added that New York would serve as an example for how to “defeat the forces of oligarchy and authoritarianism.”
Mamdani also acknowledged his opponent, wishing Cuomo “the best in private life.” “We have toppled a political dynasty,” he said, “but let tonight be the final time I utter his name as we turn the page.”
Reflecting on doubts about his candidacy, Mamdani addressed his youth and background. “The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from the perfect candidate,” he said. “I am young, I am Muslim, I am a Democratic socialist, and I refuse to apologize for any of this.”
Throughout his speech, Mamdani emphasized hope and inclusion. He promised a city government that “stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers” and ensures that “the more than one million Muslims know they belong, not just in the five boroughs of this city, but in the halls of power.”
As the event concluded, the crowd erupted in chants of “Zohran! Zohran!” while Mamdani ended his remarks on a note of optimism: “Tonight we have spoken in a clear voice. Hope is alive.”
