Democrat Zohran Mamdani has been projected to win New York City’s mayoral race, making history as the first Muslim, first Indian-origin, and first African-born mayor of America’s largest city and financial capital.
Mamdani’s victory marks a remarkable rise for the once-underdog candidate, whose working-class message and personal magnetism energised voters across the five boroughs.
His win is also being seen as a defining moment for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party at a time when national Democrats remain divided over how to counter President Donald Trump.
Early projections indicated that Mamdani defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for the second time, after first unseating him in the June Democratic primary. Republican contender Curtis Sliwa, who remained in the race despite Trump’s repeated attacks, finished far behind.
When sworn in on January 1, Mamdani, 34, will become New York’s youngest mayor in more than a century. His victory was powered by high voter turnout, with more than two million New Yorkers casting their ballots — the highest participation in a mayoral election since 1969, according to the city’s Board of Elections.
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Conceding defeat after major networks called the race for Mamdani, Curtis Sliwa vowed to continue his political work in New York. “We will hold the mayor-elect to make sure that he serves all the people and that socialism does not replace capitalism,” the Republican candidate told the media.
Mamdani’s campaign faced sustained criticism from Republicans, including Trump, who repeatedly labelled him a “communist” and threatened to freeze federal funds or “take over” New York if he won. Trump also questioned his eligibility to run for office, despite Mamdani having been a naturalised US citizen since 2018.
Born in Uganda to filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, both of Indian heritage, Zohran Mamdani moved to New York as a child and grew up in Queens.
His victory is being hailed as a reflection of New York City’s evolving political landscape and its embrace of diversity in leadership.
Political observers say Mamdani’s win could have national implications for the Democratic Party, signalling the growing strength of progressive candidates in major urban centres.
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