November 5, 2025 | 11:47 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Zohran Mamdani of the Democratic Party emerged victorious in the New York City mayoral election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor.
The 34-year-old state assemblyman had been touted as the most liberal mayor the city had seen in generations. According to NDTV, Mamdani defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. His victory secured his place in history as the city's first Muslim mayor. He is also the first mayor of South Asian descent and the first born in Africa. He will also be the youngest mayor in New York in over a century when he takes office on January 1, 2026.
In his first post-victory update, Zohran Mamdani uploaded a video showing the New York subway opening at City Hall. The words "Zohran for New York City" were displayed on the wall. In the background, an announcement could be heard: "The next and last stop is City Hall." City Hall is the site of the mayor's office.
Zohran Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda. He is the son of Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and the renowned Indian filmmaker Mira Nair.
His childhood took him from Uganda to South Africa, and then to New York City, where he attended the Bank Street School for Children and the Bronx High School of Science. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 2014 with a degree in African Studies, where he helped establish a branch of Students for Justice in Palestine.
Mamdani used his social media savvy and enthusiasm to become a rising star in the party, but his candidacy stirred ideological divisions. Donald Trump, who has long been involved in his hometown's politics, closely followed the competition, belittling Mamdani by labeling him a communist.
During his campaign, Mamdani aspired to make New York a more affordable city. He proposed freezing rents on stabilized units, building public housing, universal child care, tuition-free education, fare-free buses, and city-managed grocery stores, making him a favorite of many progressives.
He also supported raising the minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030, funded through higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations. Mamdani also called for reallocating police resources to community services and expanding public transportation and cycling infrastructure.
Reactions to Zohran Mamdani's Victory
Mamdani's victory garnered various reactions across the United States. Al Jazeera reported that New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo congratulated Mamdani and acknowledged his defeat.
House Majority Leader Mike Johnson condemned Mamdani's victory. "Democrats in New York City have chosen a true extremist and Marxist, and the consequences will be felt across our entire nation. Zohran Mamdani’s election cements the Democrat Party's transformation to a radical, big-government socialist party," he wrote in a post on X.
"Mayor-Elect Mamdani's extreme agenda is the future of the Democrat Party - but we will never allow it to be the future of America," he added.
Mamdani's Republican critics have attempted to brand the politician as a communist and Marxist. Conversely, political experts say the democratic socialist agenda he advocates does not adhere to the core principles of communism, such as the government takeover of industries and private ownership.
Editor's Choice: Trump Endorses Cuomo, Threatens to Cut Funds for New York If Zohran Mamdani Wins Mayoral Race
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