NYC mayoral election results: Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayor’s race in historic upset

Zohran Mamdani has won the New York City mayoral election, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in a race that reconfigured the city’s political map. The 34-year-old democratic socialist is set to become the first Muslim mayor of New York City and, by unofficial tallies, the youngest to hold the office in more than a century. With most precincts reporting, Mamdani cleared the majority threshold citywide, while Cuomo trailed in the low-40s and Sliwa finished in single digits. Turnout surged to levels not seen in decades, driven by younger voters and a wave of new registrations.

Who won the NYC mayor race and by how much

Initial returns showed Mamdani consolidating large margins in Queens and Brooklyn—particularly in neighborhoods with high concentrations of renters and students—while remaining competitive in parts of Manhattan. Cuomo’s strength in portions of Staten Island and southern Brooklyn narrowed the gap but never overcame Mamdani’s citywide lead. Unofficial counts indicate:

• Zohran Mamdani (Democratic/Working Families): just over 50%

• Andrew Cuomo (Independent): low 40s

• Curtis Sliwa (Republican): around 7%

These figures may shift slightly as absentee and provisional ballots are processed, but multiple projections placed the race out of recount range late Tuesday.

What Mamdani ran on: affordability, housing, and public services

Mamdani’s campaign centered on affordability amid persistent pressure from rents, transit costs, and childcare expenses. He emphasized an “all-of-the-above” housing plan—accelerating new construction near transit, clearing the repair backlog in public housing, and expanding tenant protections—paired with investments to speed bus service and improve subway reliability. The message resonated with voters seeking tangible cost-of-living relief after years of uneven recovery and rising prices.

Framing the contest as a choice between continuity and a different economic model, Mamdani argued that New York’s prosperity should be measured by the ability of working- and middle-class residents to remain in the city. That contrast sharpened against Cuomo, who focused on crime, management experience, and a centrist approach; Sliwa pushed a harder line on public safety and homelessness.

A political shockwave with national implications

The result delivers an emphatic win for the city’s left flank and adds momentum to progressive organizing nationally. Mamdani’s coalition—youth, renters, newly naturalized citizens, and communities energized by grassroots groups—proved decisive. Early indicators point to record youth turnout and strong support among first-time voters.

The victory also carries symbolic weight. Mamdani, born in Kampala to Ugandan Indian parents and raised in New York, becomes the city’s first Muslim mayor. Supporters framed the milestone as a reflection of New York’s diversity and a mandate for policies aimed at broad-based inclusion.

What happens next: timeline and transition

• Certification: Unofficial results will be finalized after absentee and affidavit ballots are counted and certified in the coming days.

• Swearing-in: The mayor-elect is scheduled to take office on January 1, 2026, per the city charter.

• Transition priorities: Expect an early focus on assembling a budget team, negotiating with Albany on housing and transit flexibility, and selecting leadership at NYCHA, DOT, and the agencies overseeing economic development and small business support.

Where the race was won

Analysts pointed to three factors:

1. Issue salience: Cost of living eclipsed other concerns for many voters. Mamdani hammered a concrete, near-term affordability agenda.

2. Field operation: A large volunteer network emphasized peer-to-peer outreach, especially on campuses and in renter-heavy districts.

3. Fragmented opposition: With Cuomo running as an independent and Sliwa consolidating Republicans, anti-Mamdani votes split across two lanes.

Key FAQs from voters

• Who is the mayor of New York City now? Eric Adams continues to serve until December 31, 2025. Mamdani becomes mayor on January 1, 2026.

• Is Zohran Mamdani a socialist? He identifies as a democratic socialist and has aligned with left-leaning policy priorities on housing, labor, and public services.

• How old is Mamdani? He is 34.

• Background and family: Mamdani is of Ugandan Indian heritage and grew up in New York City.

• Did Andrew Cuomo concede? Cuomo delivered remarks acknowledging the outcome and defending his campaign’s focus, while signaling he would remain active in public debate.

What to watch in the first 100 days

• An early affordability package: Expect executive actions and proposed legislation aimed at rent relief mechanisms, transit affordability pilots, and cutting permitting red tape for housing.

• Public safety and care: The administration is likely to pair community-safety investments and mental health initiatives with accountability measures across agencies.

• Budget trade-offs: With revenue growth moderating, delivering expansive programs will require offsets, outside funding, or phased timelines—tests that will define the new mayor’s governing approach.

New York’s verdict is clear: voters prioritized a sharp turn toward affordability-first governance. The transition now moves from campaign promises to the complexities of implementation—where coalition management, negotiations with the City Council and state lawmakers, and the realities of the budget will determine how much of Mamdani’s vision becomes law.