The BareStory
Projections from the November 4, 2025, election show Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani has won the race for mayor of New York City. The 34-year-old state assemblyman defeated independent candidate and former governor Andrew Cuomo, as well as Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. The election saw more than 2 million voters cast ballots, which has been described as the highest turnout for a mayoral election in the city since 1969.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, is set to become the city’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor. His campaign focused on the cost of living, with policy proposals that included freezing rents on rent-stabilized apartments, building affordable housing, providing free bus service, and opening city-run grocery stores. Mamdani has said he intends to fund these programs by raising taxes on corporations and top earners, an action that requires state-level approval.
The race attracted national attention and endorsements from major political figures. Mamdani was backed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Governor Kathy Hochul. Cuomo, who conceded the race, was endorsed by President Donald Trump and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams. Reports noted that some establishment Democrats, including Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, did not endorse Mamdani.
During the campaign, Mamdani faced criticism for his political positions. According to one summary, he was criticized for his rhetoric on Israel, and he apologized for past remarks in which he called the NYPD "racist." His campaign, in turn, accused opponent Andrew Cuomo of using Islamophobic rhetoric. Following the election, the National Republican Congressional Committee announced a digital ad campaign claiming Mamdani built his movement on "defunding the police" to link him to other Democrats.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
• The election outcome will likely feature in national politics, as Republicans are using Mamdani's platform in ad campaigns against other Democrats.
• The success or failure of his proposed social programs, like free bus service or city-run grocery stores, may influence future policy debates in other U.S. cities.
• His plan to fund programs by taxing corporations in a major financial hub will be watched by businesses nationwide, although it requires state-level approval.
