Zohran Mamdani claimed victory in the New York City mayoral race Tuesday night, and will become the city's first Muslim mayor.
Why it matters: The race to lead the Big Apple captivated the nation. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, electrified young progressives to best scandal-plagued former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
- He won the support of sometimes-reluctant members of the party's establishment — while facing resistance from others.
- Republicans have sought to weaponize Mamdani's momentum by labeling his candidacy as proof that the Democrats are migrating further left.
- The 34-year-old, who was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda, to an Indian-Ugandan academic father and Indian filmmaker mother, will also become one of the city's youngest mayors in history.
What they're saying: "In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light," Mamdani said in his victory speech that addressed his frequent critic President Trump, saying he knew he'd be watching and told him to "turn the volume up."
- "Here, we believe in standing up for those we love, whether you are an immigrant, a member of the trans community, one of the many Black women that Donald Trump has fired from a federal job, a single mom still waiting for the cost of groceries to go down, or anyone else with their back against the wall. Your struggle is ours, too," he said.
- The mayor-elect also vowed to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia.
- "We will build a city hill that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism," Mamdani said.
- "Where the more than one million Muslims know that they belong — not just in the five boroughs of this city, but in the halls of power. No more will New York be a city where you can traffic in Islamophobia and win an election."
- And he declared: "New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and as of tonight, led by an immigrant."
The other side: Independent candidate Cuomo was tracking behind Mamdani in polls leading up to Election Day, though the gained some ground after outgoing Mayor Eric Adams endorsed him. Trump endorsed Cuomo on the eve of the election.
- Cuomo said in his concession speech that he was "proud" of his campaign.
- "This campaign was the right fight to wage, and I am proud of what we did and what we did together," he said. "This campaign was to contest the philosophies that are shaping the Democratic party, the future of this city, and the future of this country."
State of play: Mamdani won a historic upset in the city's Democratic primary in June.
- He brought a sharp, charismatic energy to his heavily social-media-focused campaign, where he spoke to voters' concerns over affordability and political corruption.
- Mamdani's victory then — and in the general election — encapsulates the Democratic party's tug-of-war between its old guard and its progressive wing.
- He will replace the besieged Eric Adams, who ended his reelection campaign in September, when he's sworn in on Jan. 1.
For the record: Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa was the Republican nominee.
Between the lines: Mamdani's victory will likely elevate his status as a prime target for Trump, who has threatened to withhold funding from the city and send in federal troops.
- He's directed several digs at Mamdani and threatened to arrest him if he doesn't allow federal immigration officials to arrest undocumented immigrants in the city.
- Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a vocal Mamdani supporter, said at a recent rally in Queens that electing him would "send a loud message" to Trump.
Go deeper: Mamdani takes aim at Trump after NYC election win
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and candidate Andrew Cuomo, and with additional context.
