New York City Elects Zohran Mamdani: The Objective Facts on a Historic Win

The results of the November 4, 2025 New York City mayoral election confirm that Democratic candidate and current State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani will be the city's 111th Mayor

A decisive outcome that establishes several historical benchmarks. Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist, defeated both independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, securing a clear majority of the vote.

With over 97% of ballots counted, Zohran Mamdani finished with approximately 50.4% of the vote. Andrew Cuomo received roughly 41.6%, and Curtis Sliwa garnered approximately 7.1%. Voter turnout for the election surpassed 2 million, marking the highest participation in a New York City mayoral race since 1969.

Mamdani's victory ensures he will be the city's youngest mayor in over a century at age 34 when he assumes office on January 1, 2026. Furthermore, he will be the city's first Muslim mayor, the first South Asian mayor, and the first African-born mayor. Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, and is the son of academic Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair. Before his election to the State Assembly in 2020, he worked as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor in Queens.

Core Policy Commitments

Mamdani's campaign centered on an affordability platform aimed at reducing the cost of living for New York residents. His primary policy proposals, which will require cooperation from the City Council and the State Legislature for implementation, include:

His housing agenda proposes a rent freeze for all rent-stabilized units and a significant increase in social housing development. For transportation, he has committed to implementing fare-free bus service citywide and improving bus network speeds. Economically, Mamdani's plan includes raising the city's minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030 and instituting universal, free childcare for children from six weeks to five years of age. He intends to fund these initiatives by increasing taxes on both large corporations and high-income earners making over $1 million annually.

Mamdani's win, fueled by a high-engagement, digital-first campaign that focused on young and working-class voters, signals a significant shift in the political landscape and priorities of the nation's largest city.