Zohran Mamdani Elected NYC Mayor - A Look At His Campaign And Historic Win

BY: CAMILA TABORA / STAFF WRITER

Zohran Mamdani at one of his campaign speeches from this past year, Getty Images

In a stunning upset to the previous New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, was declared the elected winner of the New York City mayoral race. This past election has been highly publicized, as not only was Mamdani’s initial primary win a surprise in defiance of the previous mayor, Eric Adams, but it was also an upset to the more moderate-leaning Democrats that had ruled over the city in the past. 

Cuomo, Mamdani’s biggest political opponent in the final election after Adams’ drop from the race, was defeated by an almost 9% margin. Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist, ran a campaign that inspired record voter turnout, with NBC New York reporting that it was the highest in 50 years. He will be the first Muslim and second-youngest New York City mayor ever elected. 

Mamdani’s grassroots campaign was able to gain massive traction through canvassing efforts, utilizing social media, and staying consistent on policy promises like free buses, free universal child care, rent stabilization, and government-run, affordable grocery stores. He has also been vocal about his belief that the government deserves to represent all people regardless of race, gender, sexuality, and social class, releasing many videos in languages such as Arabic and Spanish, expressing support for the LGBTQ+, backing pro-Palestinian views, and centering the working class in his rhetoric. 

This was not only attractive to voters in lieu of the higher cost of living in the city, but also in rebuttal to the landscapes of both the past city government as well as the central government. The past major election season saw Republicans take over virtually every section of the government, and Trump’s presidency has been highly criticized for its indiscriminate ICE raids, its attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, and its attacks on reproductive freedom; all prominent issues that particularly  affect New York City residents. 

Mamdani’s campaign, as well as the countless Democratic wins this election season, suggest a general unpopularity and distaste for the actions of the right-wing government. 

Moreover, Mamdani’s opponents have been highly criticized for their own personal actions while in office. Adams has notably faced federal bribery charges and was investigated by the FBI and NYC DOI for accepting illegal foreign campaign contributions from Turkish officials. He also faced condemnation for increased spending on the police department and infrastructure built to stop fare evasion, all while increasing transportation prices. 

Additionally, Andrew Cuomo has long been embroiled in political scandal, especially after his sexual misconduct allegations that led him to resign as governor in 2021. He has also been particularly unpopular with his unabashedly pro-Israeli views concerning Israel’s occupation and genocide of the Palestinian people. 

Furthermore, his campaign was notorious for Cuomo’s status as an establishment-backed millionaire. The New York Times reported that he was funded by “billionaire-backed super PACs” and Forbes estimated his net worth at $10 million. 

Mamdani, in comparison, was considered so politically revolutionary and left-wing that President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Cuomo despite his long-standing association with the Democratic Party. 

Mamdani celebrated his historic win right next door at the Brooklyn Paramount. In attendance were figures such as other well-known democratic socialist leaders like Bernie Sanders and AOC, as well as celebrities like Lorde and Hasan Minhaj. In his viral victory speech, Mamdani outwardly spoke to the current administration: 

“Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching,” he exclaimed, “I have four words for you: turn the volume up! We will hold bad landlords to account because the Donald Trumps of our city have grown far too comfortable taking advantage of their tenants. We will put an end to the culture of corruption that has allowed billionaires like Trump to evade taxation and exploit tax breaks. We will stand alongside unions and expand labor protections because we know, just as Donald Trump does, that when working people have iron-clad rights, the bosses that seek to exploit them become very small indeed.” 

The Paramount saw a huge crowd of supporters cheering the speech live from outside, where multiple people distributed Zohran flyers and held up posters celebrating his win. Seawanhaka staff was able to interact with some members of his team, one of whom mentioned being an LIU alumnus with a Master of Business Administration. 

Mamdani left the venue with his wife, Rama Duwaji, around 1 a.m., but not before waving to a small group of LIU supporters waiting for him in front of the Health Sciences building. As he drove past the front of the theater, he also waved to the crowd of his supporters and to multiple other LIU students walking towards campus. 

As of now, Mamdani is already at work to get set on his political goals. His website is currently titled “A New Era For New York City” and lists his current transition team, made up of leaders that encompass multiple sectors from nonprofit work, legal leadership, and economic leadership, and is notably entirely female. Mamdani will officially take office on January 1st, 2026.