The mayoral election went to the likely winner, Mamdani. The 34-year-old makes history as the first democratic socialist to win a mayoral election in New York. He also becomes the first Muslim to hold the office.
The mayor-elect is greeted with cheers when he steps onto the stage in a venue in the Brooklyn borough to deliver his victory speech.
We breathe the air of a city that has been reborn, says Mamdani and continues by sending a boot to President Donald Trump:
If anyone can show a country betrayed by Donald Trump how to fight him, it's the city that raised him.
Promised free buses
In addition to Mamdani, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa ran in the election.
Mamdani has made a name for himself through election promises of free buses, state-run price-cutting food stores and new housing, financed through tax increases for high-income earners.
However, he has been criticized for his thin resume and stance against Israel in the Gaza war, and President Donald Trump has urged Jewish voters not to vote for him. Mamdani himself has dismissed all accusations of anti-Semitism.
Historically many votes
A record number of New Yorkers had already voted before Election Day. More than 735,000 people had cast their ballots in advance, the highest number in a non-presidential election ever, according to the New York Times . In total, more than two million voters cast ballots in the election, the most in more than 50 years.
Mamdani will take office as mayor on January 1, 2026, making him the youngest person to hold the post in over a century.
However, it was not only New York that went to the polls in the US this “Election Tuesday”. In total, nearly 10,000 votes were held around the country, including new governors being appointed in New Jersey and Virginia – both Democrats. In Virginia, the Republicans are losing power in the state when Abigail Spanberger takes over as the first woman in the post.
"Congratulations to all the Democratic candidates who won tonight. It's a reminder that when we unite around strong, forward-thinking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win. We still have a lot of work to do, but the future looks a little brighter," former President Barack Obama wrote on X.
Born in Kampala, Uganda in 1991 to Indian, Muslim parents. His father is an academic, specializing in political science and anthropology, his mother is a filmmaker.
Lived in South Africa before the family moved to New York when the son was seven. Went to school in the Bronx and later earned a degree in Africana studies from Bowdoin College in Maine.
Has worked on housing issues in the borough of Queens and composed and produced rap music. In 2019 he released the single "Nani" under the artist name Mr Cardamom, now the single "Mamdani" is available on streaming services.
Became a US citizen in 2018. Married Syrian-American illustrator and artist Rama Duwaji earlier this year.
A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, he has campaigned for local left-wing Democrats and ran for state Congress in 2020 for a district that includes Astoria, Queens. He won that seat and was re-elected in 2022 and 2024.
Launched his campaign to become mayor of New York in the fall of 2024.
Sources: nyassembly.gov, Time, The New York Times and more
