Zohran Mamdani Elected Mayor of New York; Will Be City’s First Muslim and Youngest Mayor

Zohran Mamdani, a prominent figure in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and a critic of Israeli policy, was declared the winner of New York City’s mayoral election overnight (Tuesday–Wednesday), becoming the first Muslim mayor in the city’s history and, at 34 years old, also its youngest.

Polling stations closed at 4:00 a.m. Israel time. Within 40 minutes, U.S. media networks projected Mamdani as the winner, after he secured a decisive lead over his main rival, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

With 90% of votes counted, Mamdani holds 50.4% (approximately 1.03 million votes), surpassing most pre-election polls, which did not predict him winning an absolute majority. Cuomo, who ran as an independent, received 41.6% (around 850,000 votes), and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa finished with 7.1% (145,000 votes). Despite having withdrawn from the race, outgoing mayor Eric Adams received just over 2,000 votes.

Mamdani will be sworn in on January 1, 2026.

Moments after the announcement, Mamdani posted a video on X, showing a subway train arriving at its final stop accompanied by the announcement: “Next and last stop — City Hall.”

“We brought down a political dynasty”

In his victory speech, Mamdani said:

“Tonight, against all odds, we did it. We brought down a political dynasty.”

Referring to Cuomo — whose father Mario Cuomo also served as governor of New York — Mamdani added:

“New York, tonight you gave a mandate for change — a new kind of politics. I will wake up every morning with one goal: to make this city better for you than it was yesterday.”

He greeted supporters in Arabic, saying:

“Ana mankum wa alaikum — I am from you, and for you.”

Mamdani said the city would enter a “new dawn” and emphasized unity:

“While each of us voted alone, we chose hope together — hope over big money, hope over tyranny, hope over despair.”

He also pledged strong support for both Jewish and Muslim communities:

“We will build a city that stands firmly with Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against antisemitism. And we will build a city where more than a million Muslims know they belong — not just in the five boroughs, but in the corridors of power.”

Calls to Democrats: “Stop being afraid

Mamdani declared:

“I am a Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. And I refuse to apologize for that.”

He argued that his victory shows Democrats can win while running openly progressive campaigns, including against Donald Trump:

“If anyone can show a people betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, this is the city that raised him.”

Addressing Trump directly, he added:

“So Donald Trump — turn the volume up.”

Agenda: Labor Rights, Immigration

Mamdani outlined his priorities:

“We will stand with labor unions and expand workers’ rights. New York will remain a city of immigrants… and from tonight it will be led by an immigrant. To get to one of us, you will have to go through all of us.”

This statement comes amid ongoing federal campaigns targeting undocumented immigrants.

The New York Post featured Mamdani on its front page holding a hammer and sickle, with the headline: “The Red Apple.”

Andrew Cuomo conceded:

“Almost half of New Yorkers did not vote for a plan that promises things that cannot be kept. But tonight is his. We will help however possible — because we want our city to work.”

Curtis Sliwa told supporters:

“If he succeeds, we succeed. But if the new administration weakens the police or endangers public safety, we will be his strongest opposition.”

Former President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that Republicans’ losses were due to the prolonged government shutdown and the fact that his name did not appear on the ballot:

“Trump was not on the ballot. …AND SO IT BEGINS.”