• Zohran Mamdani wins the NYC mayoral race, becoming the first Muslim and youngest mayor in over a century.
• He defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa amidst record voter turnout.
• Mamdani prioritizes affordability with promises for rent freezes, universal childcare, and city-run grocery stores.
• His victory is viewed as a significant win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, countering Trumpism.
• Donald Trump criticized Mamdani's victory speech, warning him to be "respectful" to Washington.

Zohran Mamdani has been elected as the new mayor of New York City, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first Muslim, first South Asian, and the youngest mayor in over a century. The 34-year-old democratic socialist won a contentious race against former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, achieving a substantial lead with over 50% of the votes and record turnout surpassing 2 million ballots, according to South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

Mamdani's campaign focused heavily on affordability and social services, proposing policies such as freezing rents for stabilized apartments, implementing universal childcare, and establishing city-run grocery stores to combat rising costs. During his victory speech, he articulated a vision for a city where “government can lower costs and make life easier,” aiming to guide New Yorkers through the financial challenges they face, reports India Times, India Times, and Anadolu Agency.

The election results signify a critical moment for the Democratic Party's progressive faction, as Mamdani's victory is interpreted as a repudiation of former President Trump's influence, particularly in relation to issues of intolerance and racism, according to ABC News and BBC. Mamdani’s campaign resonated strongly with immigrant communities, notably among New York’s Muslim population, who celebrated his victory as a transformative moment for representation, as highlighted in Anadolu Agency and India Times.

In response to Mamdani's election, Donald Trump has publicly urged him to adopt a more amicable stance towards the federal government, emphasizing that respecting Washington is crucial for Mamdani’s success. Trump cautioned that Mamdani's victory speech had a "very angry" tone and reiterated his previous characterization of Mamdani as a "communist," a label the mayor-elect strongly rejects, as noted by India Times and Al Jazeera.