Zohran Mamdani wins NYC Mayor
As of November 4th, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is now the mayor-elect of New York City. After a legendary campaign, he became the first Muslim and South Asian mayor, as well as the youngest individual to hold the position.
“Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands. My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty,” said Mamdani as he addressed an adoring crowd at his victory speech and celebration in Brooklyn.
The 34-year-old Ugandan-born Democratic-Socialist defeated former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, along with Republican Curtis Sliwa, on Tuesday’s election day, according to polls.
The Mamdani campaign was a legend in the making as the newly elected mayor made his way from humble beginnings. He led a grassroots campaign; he was a relatively unknown local assemblyman in his district of Queens, but later ran in the Democratic primary for mayor this year. He went from a one-point candidate to a twelve-point candidate, making him one of the most popular and fastest-growing politicians ever seen.
His campaign didn’t shy away from his socialist views and policies, instead focusing on offering citizens an affordable New York. Mamdani spoke out on implementing rent freezes on landlords, providing universal childcare, and free bus transportation around the city. Even in his victory speech, he quoted Eugene Debs, a prior Democratic-Socialist candidate who ran five times in the early 1900s, saying, “I can see the dawn of a better day for humanity.”
“I’m really happy that, finally, the progressive side of the Democratic Party is finally winning elections and the people are finally waking up to the fact that many of the Conservative Democrats,” said junior Robert Mendoza.
Mamdani also addressed President Donald Trump, who consistently criticized and mischaracterized Mamdani based on his immigrant background, progressive policy, and Islamic faith.
“So hear me, President Trump, when I say this: to get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us,” said Mamdani.
Opponents often critique Mamdani, targeting his policies of higher taxation on the rich, inexperience, and his so-called radical and progressive agenda. With the genocide happening in Gaza, Mamdani has been an advocate for the freedom of the Palestinian people and condemns the actions of Israel. Because New York has the largest group of Jewish people outside of Israel, he has received criticism from pro-Israel and zionist organizations.
Mamdani’s campaign on social media and outside created waves in the American political sphere. He used upbeat videos to talk to real locals that deeply resonated, not only with long-time voters, but with youth as well. His energetic and positive demeanor only boosted his popularity, along with the people of New York, but internationally, with people from Canada to Finland showing their happiness and support for the new mayor-elect.
Zohran is now the new voice of New York, his promises echoing change, affordability, reliability, and a New York by the people for the people. As he said in his victory speech, “Let the words we’ve spoken together, the dreams we’ve dreamt together, become the agenda we deliver together. New York, this power, it’s yours. This city belongs to you.” Time will tell if those words will ring true.
