Honestly, if you told a political consultant two years ago that a 34-year-old democratic socialist would be the next mayor of New York City, they would’ve probably laughed you out of the room. But here we are. The mayoral race NYC results are in, and Zohran Mamdani didn’t just win; he shattered the status quo in a way we haven’t seen in generations.
It wasn’t even particularly close by the end.
Mamdani pulled in 1,114,184 votes, which is about 50.8% of the total. Think about that for a second. He’s the first candidate since 1969 to crack the million-vote mark in a mayoral race. Meanwhile, Andrew Cuomo—the guy who was supposed to be the "safe" comeback kid—ended up with 906,614 votes (41.3%). Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate, was basically an afterthought with just 7.0%.
How the Mayoral Race NYC Results Flipped the Script
Most people thought Cuomo had this in the bag. He had the name recognition, the money, and let’s be real, a lot of friends in high places. But something shifted. People are tired of the same old "tough on crime" rhetoric that doesn't actually make the subway feel safer or the rent feel cheaper.
Mamdani’s campaign was basically one giant bet on "affordability." He talked about a 2% tax on millionaires and freezing rents on rent-stabilized units. Most pundits called it "radical," but the voters called it "overdue."
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The Neighborhood Breakdown: A City Divided?
If you look at the map, the results tell a story of two different New Yorks. Mamdani absolutely dominated in North Brooklyn—neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bed-Stuy were deep blue for him. He also cleaned up in his home turf of Astoria and Sunnyside in Queens.
On the flip side, Staten Island was Cuomo country. He took about 55% of the vote there, with Sliwa actually pulling a decent 21% in the borough. It's the only place where the "progressive wave" really hit a wall.
"We have toppled a political dynasty," Mamdani told a raucous crowd in Astoria on election night. "This is a mandate for a city we can actually afford to live in."
Why the High Turnout Changed Everything
Usually, NYC mayoral elections are sleepy affairs. In 2021, only about 21% of registered voters showed up. This time? It was a different world. We saw 2,218,647 people cast ballots. That’s a 43.47% turnout rate—the highest since the early 90s.
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Why the sudden interest?
- Young Voters: People under 30 came out in droves. Mamdani won this demographic by a landslide.
- The Cuomo Factor: Love him or hate him, Andrew Cuomo gets people to the polls.
- Early Voting: We saw record-breaking numbers during the early voting period, which probably helped Mamdani’s ground game.
Mamdani is now the city's first Muslim and South Asian mayor. He’s also the youngest person to hold the office since the 1800s. It’s a massive demographic shift that reflects a city that is changing much faster than the political establishment realized.
The Real Numbers You Need to Know
Looking at the raw data from the Board of Elections, the coalition Mamdani built was surprisingly broad. He didn't just win "hip" neighborhoods. He actually outperformed Cuomo in predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in the Bronx and Brooklyn—areas where Cuomo usually excels.
| Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zohran Mamdani | Democrat | 1,114,184 | 50.8% |
| Andrew Cuomo | Independent | 906,614 | 41.3% |
| Curtis Sliwa | Republican | 153,749 | 7.0% |
| Eric Adams | Independent | 6,897 | 0.3% |
Wait, Eric Adams? Yeah, even though he dropped out in September, he was still on the ballot. Roughly 7,000 people still checked his name.
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What This Means for Your Wallet
Mamdani isn't wasting any time. He’s already appointed a transition team led by big names like Lina Khan (the former FTC chair) and Maria Torres-Springer. His "Affordability Agenda" is the top priority.
If you’re a tenant, keep an eye on the Rent Guidelines Board. Mamdani has basically promised a rent freeze. If you’re a high-earner (making over $1 million), you should probably start talking to your accountant about that proposed 2% "social wealth" tax.
It’s gonna be a bumpy ride. The "luxury real estate market," as the papers like to call it, is already freaking out. But for the average person struggling to pay for a MetroCard and a one-bedroom in Flatbush, the mayoral race NYC results feel like the first bit of good news in a long time.
Actionable Next Steps for New Yorkers
- Check Your Rent Status: If you live in a rent-stabilized apartment, stay tuned for the 2026 Rent Guidelines Board hearings. The new administration is likely to push for a 0% increase.
- Monitor the Tax Proposals: The "millionaire tax" requires state approval in Albany. Watch how Governor Kathy Hochul responds to Mamdani’s push in the coming months.
- Follow the Transition: Use the official city portals to see who gets appointed to lead the MTA and the NYPD. Mamdani’s choice of Jessica Tisch as Police Commissioner suggests he’s trying to balance progressive ideals with operational experience.
- Engage with Community Boards: With a mayor focused on "people power," local community boards will likely have more weight in housing and transit decisions. Now is the time to show up to those Tuesday night meetings.