Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected as the first Indian-American Muslim mayor of New York City on Tuesday, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who had been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
According to CBS News, Mamdani will serve as the city’s 111th mayor, marking a historic first for a candidate of South Asian heritage. He also defeated Republican Curtis Sliwa, handing Trump a major political setback.
At 33, Mamdani will be the youngest mayor in New York City’s history when he takes office on January 1.
Celebrating his victory, Mamdani posted a short video on X (formerly Twitter) showing a New York City subway train arriving at City Hall, with the slogan “Zohran For New York City” appearing on the station wall.
A Democratic Socialist inspired by Bernie Sanders, Mamdani has championed policies such as fare-free city buses, rent freezes, city-owned grocery stores, and a $30 minimum wage by 2030. He has been an advocate for congestion pricing and fare-free transit initiatives.
On foreign policy, Mamdani supports the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, opposes illegal Israeli settlements, and calls for ceasefires in Gaza, while maintaining opposition to antisemitism and support for Israel’s right to exist.
He has also pushed for anti-discrimination laws and opposed funding cuts to gender-affirming care.
Mamdani, the son of Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair, currently serves as a member of the New York State Assembly. Previously little known outside his district, his grassroots campaign gained momentum in the months leading up to the election.
Ahead of the vote, Trump had warned on Truth Social that federal funding to New York could be curtailed if Mamdani won, claiming the city would face an “economic and social disaster.”
