Zohran Mamdani Wins 2025 NYC Mayoral Election

Zohran Mamdani won this year's NYC Mayoral Election. Photo from Trong Khiem Nguyen via Flickr

On Nov. 4, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani was elected as the next mayor of New York City, beating out the Republican candidate, Curtis Sliwa and former New York Governor and Independent, Andrew Cuomo.

Mamdani won the election, receiving 50.4% of the city’s votes, with Cuomo receiving 41.6% of the votes and Sliwa with 7.1%, as reported by the Associated Press.

In a survey conducted by the Marist Poll in October, asking people who they would be supporting in the New York City Mayoral election, 48% of people said they intended to support Mamdani, 32% cited Cuomo and 16% said they would be supporting Sliwa. 

During his campaign, Mamdani, an assemblymember who represents Astoria, Queens, cited affordable housing, freezing the rent for rent-stabilized tenants, universal childcare and making New York City buses fast and free as his top policies if elected. 

Cuomo, who initially intended to run as a Democrat and lost the NYC primary to Mamdani, ran his campaign on affordable housing as well, reducing class sizes in schools and upping public safety and subway security. 

Another key feature of Cuomo’s campaign has been his outspoken support for Israel in attempts to secure votes from the city’s Jewish community.

Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, the organization behind the signature red beret, put public safety at the top of his priorities during his campaign, along with making housing affordable for New Yorkers and improving schools and outcomes for students.

Mamdani’s campaign heavily catered to Gen Z with his social media presence, gaining him popularity with the youth population of NYC. His appeal to young voters and his emphasis on placing people and the city at the center of his campaign won over many voters, optimistic for a brighter future within the city.

This victory is monumental as Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist born in Uganda, is the first Muslim NYC Mayor, and the first mayor of South Asian descent. An immigrant himself, Mamdani placed the importance of immigrants to New York City at the center of his campaign.

“New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and as of tonight, led by an immigrant,” said Mamdani in his victory speech.

Despite the popularity of Mamdani among left-leaning New Yorkers, Mamdani has proven to be a controversial political figure as a democratic socialist who emphasizes stabilizing the rent, not being outspoken about Israel and being much younger than the other candidates.

Additionally, Mamdani has been the subject of racist remarks and attacks, such as being referred to as a “jihadist” simply for existing as a brown-skinned Muslim man.

Jacky Downey ‘26, a Marist University student from Manhattan, talked about her aspirations for a better mayor following Eric Adams, the first NYC Mayor to be indicted on federal charges.

“Eric Adams did absolutely suck, I mean, he took out money from the school systems, the libraries, housing is at a complete fail, homelessness is on the rise, so I really want a candidate that actually wants to care about the people,” said Downey.

When asked about what she would like to change within the city with the new mayor, Downey cited homelessness and rent as two issues that need fixing.

“Helping with homelessness, and not just getting them off the streets, I mean genuinely trying to find housing for homeless people,” said Downey. “And then also, bringing down the rent. I think rent is at an all-time high, and I would like to live in New York City after graduation, and with Zohran, I think there’s a chance.”

Downey talks about how Mamdani’s appeal to Gen Z gave him a major boost in his campaign, and his presence within the city was something that struck voters.

“Zohran does genuinely care about the people, and you see him going into literally every single community and asking what they want, which is not something I feel like we’ve seen as New Yorkers in a long time,” she said.

“I’m really looking forward to a mayor that actually has views that align with New Yorkers,” added Downey.

Jordan Haynes ‘26, another senior from Manhattan, was thrilled to hear about Mamdani’s victory in the mayoral election.

“I was very excited. I think New York in itself is in great need of change,” said Haynes. “Our past couple of mayors, they’ve been doing the exact same thing, and the process has been increasing the rent, increasing the subway price and just making it worse to live. Mamdani, he’s a good change of pace.”

When asked how he thinks the city might change following Mamdani’s victory, especially with his self-proclamation of being a democratic socialist, Haynes said, “I think a lot of the richer people may move, which honestly, I think is a good thing.”

“I think another big problem in the city is gentrification and raising the rent leads the people that were living there [the city] for many years out, and even into worse homes,” Haynes added.

Like Downey, Haynes also valued Mamdani’s mission to visit NYC communities as part of his campaign and make it a goal to immerse himself in the city he vows to serve.

“During these campaigns, you never see people going all over the city, I thought it was the coolest thing,” said Haynes.

Mamdani will be sworn into office on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, as the 111th mayor of NYC, opening the door for a new chapter in NYC’s political legacy, with Mamdani at the epicenter.