New York City — Uganda-born American politician Zohran Mamdani has made history by being elected Mayor of New York City, following a decisive victory announced on Tuesday, November 4.
Mamdani, 34, was born in Kampala, Uganda, to renowned scholar Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair. His family later moved to South Africa when he was five, before settling in New York City two years later — the place he now leads as its top official.
Before his mayoral win, Mamdani served as a New York State Assembly member, where he built a reputation as a democratic socialist advocating for equity and affordability in urban life.
Speaking to an energetic crowd of supporters on election night, Mamdani declared,
“Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it — the future is in our hands. New York, you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a city we can afford.”
He celebrated the moment as a triumph for ordinary New Yorkers, saying his campaign had “toppled a political dynasty” and ushered in a new kind of politics focused on inclusivity and affordability.
With 90 percent of ballots counted, Mamdani led by nine percentage points over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, securing 1,033,471 votes to Cuomo’s 852,032. Republican contender Curtis Sliwa trailed with roughly 7 percent of the vote.
Throughout his campaign, Mamdani centered his message on tackling New York’s rising cost of living. He pledged to cut expenses, lower rent, improve public transportation, and make it easier for working families to thrive in one of the world’s most expensive cities.