Zohran Mamdani Elected The Next Mayor Of NYC, Beating Out Andrew Cuomo
A Zohran Mamdani pamphlet obtained by The Empire City Wire.
A Decisive Victory
On November 4, 2025, Zohran Mamdani emerged victorious in the race for mayor of New York City, capturing more than half of the vote to become the city’s 111th mayor and making history as its first Muslim and first self-described democratic socialist leader.
Mamdani’s campaign was built on a progressive platform that emphasized making the city more affordable—promises included rent freezes on stabilized units, fare-free public transit, a higher minimum wage, and increased taxes on the wealthy.
This electoral win also marks a milestone for representation, as Mamdani becomes the city’s first Muslim and openly democratic socialist mayor, reflecting New York’s evolving demographics and political attitudes.
For many New Yorkers, particularly younger voters and working-class communities, Mamdani represents something the city hasn’t seen in a long time: a mayoral candidate whose politics aren’t built around legacy or loyalty, but around material change. Mamdani has captured the imagination of a city exhausted by affordability crises and political stagnation.
Mamdani also ran a grassroots-driven campaign powered by small-dollar donations and tens of thousands of volunteers. This widespread support helped him secure a decisive win over well-known opponents such as former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Cuomo addressed the press on the morning of Election Day in a last-ditch effort outside the High School of Art and Design. Photo taken by Jeffrey Perrill for The Empire City Wire.
The Competition
Zohran Mamdani’s main competition in the 2025 New York City mayoral race came from two well-known figures: former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
Cuomo, attempting a political comeback, ran on a centrist platform focused on public safety, economic recovery, and restoring what he called “competent leadership” to City Hall. His campaign relied on name recognition and experience but struggled to connect with younger and more progressive voters.
Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and a fixture of New York politics, represented the city’s conservative base, emphasizing crime reduction, quality-of-life issues, and opposition to progressive housing policies. Both candidates framed Mamdani as too radical for the city, but their split appeal across the political spectrum ultimately helped Mamdani consolidate support among working-class, young, and left-leaning voters seeking systemic change.
Despite Cuomo’s past controversies, he lead substantially in early polls and garnered significant fundraising support but saw his lead against Zohran Mamdani slip drastically as the election drew closer.
What’s Next?
This election’s results redefine what leadership in New York can look like. The days of dynastic names and machine politics dominating the conversation are slipping away. In their place is a movement of renters, workers, and young voters who want a city that works for them—not just for developers and donors.
Analysts view Mamdani’s victory as a notable shift in New York politics, signaling strength for progressive movements and younger voters in a city long dominated by established political forces.
As he prepares to assume office on January 1, 2026, Mamdani faces the challenge of translating his ambitious agenda into measurable outcomes, navigating City Hall’s complex bureaucracy and building alliances across a diverse and often divided electorate.
