Mamdani wins NYC, capping a stunning ascent

**Zohran Mamdani Elected New York City’s Most Liberal Mayor in Generations**

NEW YORK — Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday, capping a stunning ascent for the 34-year-old state lawmaker. He is set to become the city’s most liberal mayor in generations.

In a victory for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Now, Mamdani must navigate the unending demands of America’s biggest city and deliver on ambitious — and some say unrealistic — campaign promises.

With this historic win, the democratic socialist will become the city’s first Muslim mayor, the first of South Asian heritage, and the first born in Africa. Additionally, he will be the youngest mayor in more than a century when he takes office on January 1.

### Progressive Wave Across States

While Mamdani was among the most high-profile candidates on Tuesday, Democrats also scored wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and elsewhere. Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger will become Virginia’s next governor — its first female chief executive — and Rep. Mikie Sherrill clinched the New Jersey governor’s office.

Both Spanberger and Sherrill ran campaigns focused largely on the economy, public safety, and health care. They actively distanced themselves from some of the Democratic Party’s far-left policies, emphasizing what Spanberger described in her victory speech as “pragmatism over partisanship.”

### A Challenge to Democratic Strategy

Mamdani’s unlikely rise gives credence to Democrats who have urged the party to embrace more progressive, left-wing candidates rather than centrists in hopes of winning back swing voters who have abandoned the party.

However, Mamdani has already faced scrutiny from national Republicans, including former President Donald Trump. They have cast him as a threat and the face of what they call a more radical Democratic Party.

### Record Voter Turnout and Campaign Themes

The mayoral race saw the biggest turnout in over 50 years, with more than 2 million New Yorkers casting ballots, according to the city’s Board of Elections. Mamdani’s grassroots campaign centered on affordability, and his charisma ultimately spoiled Cuomo’s attempted political comeback.

Cuomo — who resigned four years ago following allegations of sexual harassment, which he continues to deny — was dogged by his past throughout the race and criticized for running a negative campaign.

### Facing Threats and Past Challenges

There remains uncertainty about how Mamdani will handle threats from Trump, who vowed to take over the city and even threatened to arrest and deport Mamdani if he won.

Born in Uganda and raised in New York City, Mamdani became a U.S. citizen in 2018. Despite criticisms about his relatively thin resume, he now faces the challenge of assembling his administration and mapping out how he will accomplish the ambitious — and polarizing — agenda that propelled him to victory.

### Campaign Promises and Political Obstacles

Among Mamdani’s key promises are:

– Free child care
– Free city bus service
– City-run grocery stores
– Creation of a new Department of Community Safety that would dispatch mental health care workers for certain emergency calls instead of police officers

However, it remains unclear how these initiatives will be funded, especially as Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul opposes Mamdani’s calls to raise taxes on the wealthy.

His approach to the leadership of the New York Police Department will also be closely scrutinized. Mamdani was a fierce critic of the NYPD in 2020, calling it “a rogue agency” and labeling it “racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety.” Since then, he has apologized for those comments and indicated he will ask the current NYPD commissioner to remain in position.

### Controversies and International Stances

Mamdani’s campaign was driven by an optimistic vision for New York City and a promise to improve life for its middle and lower classes. However, opponents, including Cuomo and Sliwa, attacked him over his outspoken criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

A longtime advocate of Palestinian rights, Mamdani has accused Israel of committing genocide and said he would honor an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

### From Obscurity to Front-Runner

Mamdani began his campaign as a relatively obscure state lawmaker, little known even within New York City. Going into the Democratic primary, Cuomo was the presumed favorite with near-universal name recognition and deep political connections.

Cuomo’s chances improved when incumbent Mayor Eric Adams withdrew from the primary amid fallout from a now-dismissed federal corruption case. But as the race progressed, Mamdani’s natural charm, catchy social media presence, and populist economic platform energized voters in the notoriously expensive city.

He also started drawing national attention as his name recognition grew, ultimately defeating Cuomo in the Democratic primary by about 13 points.

### General Election and Campaign Dynamics

Cuomo relaunched his run as an independent candidate for the general election, vowing a more energetic campaign. Much of his effort, however, focused on attacking his opponents. In the closing days of the race, Cuomo claimed Mamdani’s election would make Jews feel unsafe.

Meanwhile, Mamdani’s rallies were well attended, and he held whimsical community events such as scavenger hunts and soccer tournaments, further energizing his base.

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Zohran Mamdani’s election marks a significant moment in New York City politics, reflecting a shift toward progressive leadership and signaling new challenges and opportunities for the city’s future.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/04/mamdani-wins-nyc-capping-a-stunning-ascent/

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