Democratic nominee defeats Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, becoming city's first Muslim mayor
NEW YORK CITY — Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani was elected on Tuesday as the 111th mayor of New York City, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in a historic victory that makes him the city's first Muslim mayor.
The 34-year-old democratic socialist and state assembly member from Queens secured a decisive victory with more than 50% of the vote. Cuomo, 67, finished second with just over 40%, while Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa received under 8% of the vote.
The crowd at Mamdani's election night party at the Brooklyn Paramount in downtown Brooklyn erupted in celebration after the Associated Press called the race in his favor. Supporters cheered and embraced as the historic results were announced.
Mamdani's victory caps a remarkable political journey that began just over a year ago when he launched his campaign as a relatively unknown state lawmaker. His message centered on affordability and change quickly resonated with thousands of New Yorkers through buoyant campaign stops throughout the city.
## A Progressive Platform Gains Traction
Mamdani's platform called for freezing rents on rent-stabilized units, building more affordable housing, raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour, making buses free, and increasing taxes on the city's wealthiest residents. Fueled by small-dollar donations, tens of thousands of volunteers, and a savvy social media presence, his grassroots campaign built momentum through the spring.
That energy culminated in a stunning Democratic primary victory in June, where Mamdani defeated Cuomo by nearly 13 points, galvanizing a diverse coalition that included many young and first-time voters and shocking the city's political establishment.
## A Contentious General Election
After his primary defeat, Cuomo — who resigned as governor in 2021 following sexual harassment allegations from more than a dozen women, which he has denied — chose to remain in the race as an independent candidate, seeking a political comeback. However, polls throughout the summer and fall consistently showed Mamdani maintaining a comfortable lead.
The campaign grew increasingly contentious in recent months, with Mamdani and Cuomo frequently sparring over their records and qualifications. Mamdani accused Cuomo of being beholden to wealthy donors and serving corporate interests, while Cuomo dismissed Mamdani as too inexperienced to lead the city.
During October's mayoral debates, the candidates clashed over crime, policing, affordability, housing, transportation, and how best to navigate relations with the Trump administration.
## National Support and Scrutiny
Mamdani drew support from progressive leaders on the national stage, including endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom appeared with him at rallies across the city. Other prominent supporters included Representative Jerry Nadler, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Governor Kathy Hochul, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who endorsed Mamdani less than two weeks before election day.
However, not all New York Democrats backed him. Both New York senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, notably did not make endorsements in the race.
## Facing Attacks and Making History
Throughout the campaign, Mamdani faced scrutiny about his age, experience, and progressive agenda. He came under fire from some critics, including Cuomo, for his criticism of the Israeli government and military actions in Gaza, and his support for Palestinian rights.
Mamdani also endured a barrage of Islamophobic attacks across social media and conservative political circles. Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, a Trump ally, condemned Mamdani as "a jihadist candidate for mayor." In October, Mamdani denounced Cuomo for laughing along with a conservative radio host who suggested Mamdani would be "cheering" if "another 9/11" happened.
Former President Donald Trump called Mamdani a "radical" and a "communist," and on Monday evening endorsed Cuomo, threatening that if Mamdani won, it would be "highly unlikely" that the city would receive federal funds "other than the very minimum as required."
Born in Uganda to Indian parents, Mamdani moved to New York City with his family at age seven and became a U.S. citizen in 2018. In July, Trump raised the possibility of revoking Mamdani's citizenship — a threat Mamdani denounced as "an attack on our democracy."
## A Wave of Democratic Victories
Mamdani's historic victory was announced amid a wave of Democratic wins across the country. Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger became Virginia's first female governor, Mikie Sherrill defeated her Trump-backed opponent in New Jersey's gubernatorial race, and California voters appeared poised to approve Governor Gavin Newsom's push for redistricting maps that would yield five new congressional seats for the party.
Despite the attacks and obstacles, Mamdani's campaign had ripple effects nationwide. In August, reports indicated that his campaign inspired more than 10,000 progressives across the country to consider running for office.
As Mamdani prepares to take office, he inherits a city facing challenges with affordability, housing, and transportation. Current mayor Eric Adams, who had campaigned for a second term as an independent, dropped out of the race in September, paving the way for this historic election.
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