Who Is Zohran Mamdani, New York's Incoming Democratic Mayor?

Zohran Mamdani speaks during a victory speech at a mayoral election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in New York.Zohran Mamdani has made waves across the pond this morning after winning the New York mayoral election last night.The Democratic mayor-elect told his supporters: “We won because New Yorkers allowed themselves to hope that the impossible could be made possible.”Set to be sworn in on New Year’s Day for a four-year term, Mamdani was one of four Democrats who swept to victory last night in American mayoral races – but his election is likely to have the greatest impact. Although his victory does not reflect nationwide views, the progressive figure’s win is likely to reverberate across American politics, especially as it comes at a time when Donald Trump’s right-wing administration dominates.Mamdani’s success is already the talk of the town here in the UK, too.Here’s what you need to know about his sudden rise.Who is Zohran Mamdani?A self-proclaimed socialist, Mamdani ran on progressive policy plans and a promise to make one of the most expensive cities in the world more affordable.The former housing counsellor, rapper – once known as Young Cardamom – and campaign manager was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020.But he experienced a stratospheric rise when he announced his plans to run as New York mayor in 2024.He promised to hike up taxes on the rich to fund his plans, with city-owned grocery shops, frozen rent on some housing and an end to bus fares in his election campaign.He’s also known to be a prominent critic of Israel, although he has rejected any claims of anti-semitism.He once called to defund the police, but has since confirmed he has no intention of doing so.He will be New York’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor while also being the youngest person to hold office in the city for a century at just 34.In August, he referred to himself as Trump’s “worst nightmare”, as he offers up policies which are at the opposite end of the political spectrum to those implemented by the US president.But questions remain over exactly how Mamdani will raise the $9 billion (approximately £6.9bn) needed to deliver his plans, particularly if the New York state legislature and governor push back.How did Mamdani become the Democratic nominee?Mamdani’s rise comes after a series of unexpected events in local New York politics.Outgoing Democratic mayor Eric Adams announced he would have to run as an independent following a corruption scandal last year.Andrew Cuomo then stepped forward to be the Democratic nominee, having resigned as New York governor in 2021 while facing allegations of sexual harassment.Mamdani then stunned political pundits by seizing the party nomination – even to the dismay of some of the Democratic old guard – so Cuomo chose to run as an independent.The two battled it out for months, with Cuomo often attacking his former Democratic peer.After his loss last night, Cuomo said his campaign had been one of “unity” while reprimanding his supporters when they started to boo Mamdani.He told them: “This is not us...Tonight was their night.”In his victory speech, Mamdani said: “I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life. But let tonight be the final time I utter his name as we turn the page on a politics that abandons the many and serves only the few.”How many votes did Mamdani win by?NBC News projected a Mamdani victory when only 60.2% of votes had been counted, and so his closest rival Cuomo conceded.While 9.5% of the votes are yet to be counted at the time of writing, Mamdani had 50.4% of the total share with 1,036,051 voters backing him.Cuomo had 41.6% of the final share, with 854,995 votes and Republican Curtis Sliva had just 7.1% of the vote share with 146,137 votes.More than two million people voted in the election, almost double the 1.15 million who case their votes in 2021, according to the New York Board of Elections.He also has support from left-wing figures like Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and independent Bernie Sanders.What does this mean for Trump?Mamdani made his opposition to Trump clear throughout his campaign, selling himself as the president’s “worst nightmare” over the summer.In his victory speech, the progressive said: “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him.“This is not only how we stop Trump. It’s how we stop the next one. So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: ‘Turn the volume up.’”Trump has already warned Mamdani would bring “disaster” to the city, and called for the Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to transfer his votes to Cuomo instead.After Mamdani’s victory was confirmed, the president ominously wrote on TruthSocial: ”...AND SO IT BEGINS!”He also claimed pollsters suggested Republicans had not won the mayoral races because “Trump wasn’t on the ballot” and because the US government is currently in shutdown.The US president previously threatened to withhold federal funding from New York if Mamdani won. Could Mamdani run for president?Luckily for Trump, no – and not because of his incoming job.The US constitution states that “no person except a natural-born citizen... shall be eligible to the Office of President.”Mamdani was born in Uganda to Indian-Ugandan parents and moved to New York with his family when he was seven years old.According to the New York Assembly website, he was naturalised as an American citizen in 2018.Which UK politicians have shown support for Mamdani?Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader who is now trying to set up his own progressive group called Your Party, helped to canvass for Mamdani via phone banks.After his victory, Corbyn wrote on X: “Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani!“You ignited a grassroots campaign, built on the radical idea that everyone deserves to live in dignity. This is a seismic victory — not only for the people of New York, but for all those who believe that humanity & hope can prevail.”The new left-wing leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski, also welcomed the news, telling Sky News he aimed to have the same “relentless focus” as Mamdani when it comes to implementing change.London mayor Sadiq Khan – who has his own long-running feud with Trump – congratulated Mamdani on his “historic win”.A source close to the Labour figure said on Tuesday that there were “similarities between the attacks” both Khan and Mamdani have faced from the US president.“The mayor hopes that like in London, New Yorkers see through the politics of hatred and fear, and embrace Mamdani’s hopeful and optimistic vision for the future,” they said.Related...Zohran Mamdani Directly Challenges Donald Trump In Fiery Victory SpeechVictorious Zohran's Message For TrumpSadiq Khan Reignites Donald Trump Feud By Backing Zohran Mamdani

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