Zohran Mamdani elected NYC Mayor, becomes first Muslim to hold office
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Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayoral race, becoming the city’s first Muslim and youngest mayor in a century.
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Zohran Mamdani listens to a question during a press conference at Dutch Kills Playground on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP)
Democrat Zohran Mamdani has been elected Mayor of New York City, defeating Republican Curtis Sliwa and Independent Andrew Cuomo, and making history as the city's first Muslim and youngest mayor in more than 100 years.
Mamdani, 34, secured 50.4% of the vote, while Cuomo earned 41.3%, according to official results from the NYC Board of Elections. He is set to take office on January 1st.
Currently serving in the New York State Assembly, Mamdani is closely affiliated with the Democratic Socialist Movement and has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s policies. His victory, backed by high youth turnout, is seen as a shift toward progressive leadership in America’s largest city.
The Associated Press, CNN, and Bloomberg noted that voter turnout surpassed 2 million, the highest in decades, signaling renewed engagement in NYC's political landscape.
Democrats secure two notable victories in Virginia and New Jersey
In the same vein, the Democratic Party secured two additional victories in Virginia and New Jersey. Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governorship, becoming the first woman to hold the office in the state's history, after defeating her Republican opponent, Winsom Earle-Sears, with approximately 55.8% of the vote compared to her opponent's 43.9%.
In New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill won the governorship, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who was backed by President Trump. Sherrill, a former US Navy pilot and member of the House of Representatives, is campaigning on a reform platform focused on improving infrastructure, reducing the cost of living, and increasing government transparency.
In his first comment on the election results, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that his name not being on the ballot and the recent government shutdown were the reasons behind the Republicans' loss in tonight's election.
Curtis Sliwa Responds
Speaking to supporters, a defiant Sliwa acknowledged the loss but vowed continued activism.
Sliwa warned Mamdani against weakening public safety and pledged to organize opposition if socialist policies took hold.
“We don’t have a price. You can’t buy us, rent us, lease us — we are not for sale. We are the people,”he said to the crowd.
Despite calling the outcome a “setback,” Sliwa praised voter participation and ruled out a future run, saying, “We will not leave New York.”
Addressing the new leadership, he warned, "If you try to implement socialism, if you try to render our police weak and impotent, if you forsake the people’s public safety, we’re not only organizing but we are mobilizing. We will become the mayor-elect and his supporters’ worst enemy."
