Zohran Mamdani has sweepingly won the mayoral election in New York City, establishing himself as the first Muslim mayor of the Big Apple. Mamdani, who refers to himself as a “democratic socialist”, defeated Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the race.
Mamdani’s victory is historic marking the first time the position has been held by a Muslim and an individual of South Asian roots.
The 34-year-old posted a short video on X that shows a classic New York City subway station where a metro door opens to the “City Hall” station followed by the words — “Zohran for New York City”.
Mamdani delivered a victory speech in Brooklyn shortly after emerging victorious in the election.
“Standing before you, I’m reminded of Jawahar Lal Nehru’s words. A moment comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance. Tonight, New York has done just that,” he said.
In recent days, Mamdani’s chances of winning the NYC election had become a trending subject on prediction markets like Polymarkets and Kalshi. The polls were already reflecting the public sentient favouring Mamdani on these platforms.
Mamdani’s policies are largely socialist with focus on provisions like freezing rents in NYC, fare-free bus services, grocery-store chains with affordable pricing, and a zero-cost childcare program to eliminate severe financial strain for growing families.
He, however, lacks a concrete stance on cryptocurrencies despite President Donald Trump and the Republican Party continuing to be bullish on crypto.