Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, has caused a major political upset in the US, as he is poised to become the Democratic candidate for November's mayoral election in New York.
After the first round of counting in the Democrat primary, Mamdani convincingly led against his rivals, including the former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Boosted by strong grassroots support, the relative political novice gained 43% of the vote, compared with Cuomo’s 36%.
Although the final results of the ranked-choice count will not be known until Tuesday, Cuomo conceded to Mamdani, saying he would consider running as an independent candidate.
"Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won," Cuomo said of Mamdani.
Meanwhile, Mamdani, speaking from a rooftop in Queens early on Wednesday morning, promised to "be the mayor for every New Yorker" if elected.
As he had done throughout his campaign, the 33-year-old promised to support the city's working class.
"A life of dignity should not be reserved for a fortunate few," he said. "It should be one that city government guarantees for each and every New Yorker."
Mamdani also reiterated pledges to make buses free and to freeze rent for stabilised tenants.
The millennial candidate's political rise has been extraordinary. But who is he and how has catapulted himself to the top of a packed Democratic mayoral field?
Rapid political ascent
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and came to New York when he was seven, gained US citizenship in 2018. His mother is a film director, while his father is a professor at Columbia University.
After studying for a degree in Africana Studies at Bowdoin College in Maine, Mamdani worked as a housing counsellor in Queens, supporting low-income homeowners of colour in their fight against eviction.
It was this job that made him want to go into politics, he said.
The democratic socialist, who used to make rap music under the name Mr Cardamom, achieved his first political break when was voted into the state assembly in 2020 to represent neighbourhoods in Queens, including Astoria Heights.
In his years at the state legislature in Albany, only three of the bills Mamdani has introduced have become law, leading to criticism from his detractors.
Cuomo, his Democratic challenger, was among those who took aim at Mamdani's lack of experience.
"He's never dealt with the City Council. He's never dealt with the Congress," said Cuomo, who resigned as New York governor in August 2021 after a sexual harassment scandal.
"He's never negotiated with a union. He's never built anything. He's never dealt with a natural emergency. He's never dealt with a hurricane, with a flood, et cetera. He's never done any of the essentials. And now you have Donald Trump on top of all of that," Cuomo added.
How has he become so popular?
Mamdani's promises to help working class New Yorkers have really struck a chord, even if critics claim they are unfeasible.
They include proposals to provide public child care for children under six, to raise the minimum wage and to increase taxes on the wealthy.
After declaring his candidacy last autumn, Mamdani has gained a large following on social media.
In one video, he is seen jumping into the Atlantic in a suit before "plunging" into the details of his proposed rent freeze in New York.
Another campaign stunt was his walk across the length of Manhattan last week, which gave New Yorkers the opportunity to take photos with him.
On Tuesday, the 33-year-old used a video with the actress and model Emily Ratajkowski to encourage people to go out to vote for him.
Big name supporters
Mamdani has the backing of well-known national politicians such as the Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and the New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom are also democratic socialists.
After his victory, Ocasio-Cortez took to X to congratulate him.
"Your dedication to an affordable, welcoming, and safe New York City where working families can have a shot has inspired people across the city," she wrote.
Sanders also praised Mamdani "and his thousands of grassroots supporters for their extraordinary campaign."
If Mamdani wins the November election - against challengers including the scandal-hit incumbent Mayor Eric Adams who will run as an independent candidate - he will become the youngest New York mayor since 1917.
He would also become its first Muslim mayor.
