Uganda‑born socialist Zohran Mamdani elected New York City mayor
Progressive Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is projected to win the race for New York City mayor, according to estimates from CNN and NBC News with over 90% of the votes counted.
Polls have closed in New York, with the 34-year-old Uganda-born assembly member leading his rival, Andrew Cuomo, 50% to 41%. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa is on just over 7%.
More than two million voters cast their ballots in Tuesday’s election – the highest turnout for a New York mayoral race since 1969, according to the city’s Board of Elections.
The rise of Mamdani, who will become New York’s first Muslim mayor, has become a lightning rod across the political spectrum. On one side, he energizes younger and progressive voters by running on platforms such as housing affordability and wealth taxation. On the other, he is sharply criticized by moderates and Republicans who have labeled him “communist” for his populist socialist views.
In a bold intervention, US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Cuomo – a former New York governor and independent candidate who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani. Trump also threatened to withhold federal funds from the city if Mamdani wins.
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the election for mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing federal funds … other than the very minimum as required,” Trump declared on the eve of the vote.
Cuomo delivered a concession speech late on Tuesday, acknowledging his defeat and pledging to hold the incoming administration to account.
“Almost half of New Yorkers did not vote to support a government agenda that makes promises that we know cannot be met. This campaign as an independent after losing the Democratic primary was necessary to make that point – a caution flag that we are heading down a dangerous, dangerous road,” Cuomo added.
