Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist whose focus on working-class issues and personal magnetism propelled a once outsider campaign into the center of national attention, is projected to win the New York City mayoral race, CNN reports based on votes counted so far.
He will become the first Muslim mayor of the city. The Democratic candidate defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent candidate, and Curtis Sliwa, the Republican Party (GOP) candidate.
Mamdani has now defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for the second time, crushing the political dynasty’s hopes for a comeback after Cuomo’s loss to Mamdani in the Democratic primary in June. The general election also included Republican Curtis Sliwa, who remained in the race despite pressure from Cuomo’s allies who wanted to consolidate opposition to Mamdani.
Mamdani’s victory marks a triumph for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party at a moment when national Democrats remain divided over how to counter President Donald Trump — himself a native New Yorker — who mocked Mamdani as a “communist” and suggested he would “take over” the city if elected.
Today’s vote is seen as the first major electoral test of Trump’s second presidential term.
The result is expected to resonate far beyond New York, raising Mamdani’s profile and drawing attention to his proposals to freeze rents for New Yorkers living in rent-regulated apartments, make public buses free to ride, and provide universal child care by raising taxes on the wealthy.
Mamdani capped a meteoric rise as a three-term state lawmaker who launched his mayoral bid a year ago from relative obscurity, promising to make one of the nation’s most expensive cities affordable for its working class.
Mamdani will enter history as the first Muslim mayor of New York, the first person of South Asian descent to hold the position, and one of the youngest mayors elected in modern times.
Historic firsts in gubernatorial elections
Abigail Spanberger, former congresswoman and CIA officer from the Democratic Party, will become the first female governor of Virginia, and Mikie Sherrill, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the Democratic Party, will become the first female Democratic governor of New Jersey, CNN projects.