In an election day that saw over two million ballots cast, an unprecedented number since the 1960s, Mamdani won with an impressive 50% of the votes.
The Democratic socialist, who did not have the formal support of his party, the Democrats, defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. With over 90% of the votes counted, Cuomo was trailing 50-41%.
The victory was announced by the AP agency at 9:39 pm, causing the Paramount Theatre in Brooklyn, the celebration venue, to erupt in applause and cheers, including some chanting "Free Palestine." Mamdani's victory, although expected by analysts, has had a huge impact on the city and is considered a "national shake-up" amid a deep debate about the future of the Democratic Party.
In his celebratory speech, Mamdani conveyed a message of hope. "Today we breathe the air of a reborn city. Tonight, New York has spoken with a clear voice: hope is alive. Hope over tyranny, hope over the power of money and petty ideas," he stated. He celebrated that "the future is in our hands" and that New Yorkers allowed themselves to believe that the impossible could become a reality.
The new mayor emphasized his identity at a crucial moment for national politics. Addressing a very young audience, he declared: "I am young, I am Muslim, and I am a democratic socialist, and I will not apologize for it." He also underscored that New York is a city "built by immigrants and from today, governed by immigrants."
Just an hour after the results were announced, President Donald Trump reacted on social media, blaming the Republican losses on his absence from the ballots and the "state shutdown." Mamdani, however, stated that a clash with Washington is "practically inevitable" and that he will not back down. He challenged by saying, "If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that saw him born."
Despite achieving what seemed impossible, going from a complete unknown to a national celebrity in twelve months, Mamdani faces the challenge of fulfilling his promises. His proposals require money and political support that he lacks, in addition to facing opposition from the leadership of his own party and the president.