New York City just underwent its biggest political earthquake in decades. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the headlines lately, you know the name: Zohran Mamdani. He’s the guy who basically took on the entire establishment and won.
On November 4, 2025, Mamdani clinched the victory, officially becoming the 112th Mayor of New York City. He didn't just win; he shattered records. We’re talking over a million votes—the first time anyone has hit that milestone since 1969. For a 34-year-old state assemblyman from Queens, that’s not just a "good night." It’s a mandate.
But honestly, the journey to the blue room at City Hall was anything but a straight line. It was messy.
How Zohran Mamdani Won the Mayor of New York City Race
Most people thought former Governor Andrew Cuomo had this in the bag. He had the name recognition and the "fighter" brand. But Mamdani did something different. He leaned into a "democratic socialist" platform that focused almost entirely on one thing: affordability. While other candidates were talking about vague concepts of "leadership," Mamdani was talking about your rent.
He hammered home the idea of a "City We Can Afford." It resonated. Big time.
The Democratic primary in June was the first real shocker. Using the city’s ranked-choice voting system, Mamdani pulled ahead of Cuomo in the final rounds. Cuomo, not one to go down without a fight, pivoted to an independent run under the "Fight and Deliver Party" banner. This turned the general election into a three-way slugfest between Mamdani, Cuomo, and the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa.
💡 You might also like: Passive Resistance Explained: Why It Is Way More Than Just Standing Still
The Final Numbers that Mattered
The general election results weren't as close as some pundits predicted:
- Zohran Mamdani (Democrat): 50.8% (1,114,184 votes)
- Andrew Cuomo (Independent): 41.3% (906,614 votes)
- Curtis Sliwa (Republican): 7.0% (153,749 votes)
Mamdani’s coalition was fascinating. He won big in Upper Manhattan and North Brooklyn, but he also managed to peel away support in the Bronx. Meanwhile, Cuomo held onto his traditional strongholds in South Brooklyn and Staten Island.
The Eric Adams Factor
You can't talk about who won the mayor of New York City without mentioning who lost it before the race even really finished. Eric Adams, the incumbent, had a rough 2025. Between the federal investigations and his campaign finance issues, his popularity plummeted.
He officially suspended his campaign in late September 2025.
It was a stunning fall for a man who once called himself the "face of the Democratic Party." Because he dropped out so late, his name actually stayed on the ballot. He ended up with about 0.3% of the vote. Basically a footnote in his own succession story.
📖 Related: What Really Happened With the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz
What a Mamdani Administration Actually Looks Like
Mamdani was sworn in on January 1, 2026. He didn't go for the usual pomp and circumstance. He chose a private midnight ceremony in an abandoned subway station beneath City Hall. Why? Because he said the subway is the "great equalizer." Kinda poetic, right?
He’s already making big moves with his cabinet choices. He’s brought in some heavy hitters who signal a very specific direction for the city:
- Dean Fuleihan: The government veteran is serving as First Deputy Mayor.
- Lina Khan: The former FTC Chair is a co-chair on his transition team, signaling a massive focus on corporate accountability and antitrust at the city level.
- Jessica Tisch: He kept her on as Police Commissioner, which was a move that surprised some of his more radical supporters but aimed to show he’s serious about "safety and justice going hand in hand."
He’s the city’s first Muslim mayor and the first of South Asian descent. He’s also the youngest mayor the city has seen since 1892. That’s a lot of "firsts" to carry on your shoulders.
Surprising Day-One Shifts
One of the biggest "wait, what?" moments happened right before his inauguration. Mamdani, who had campaigned on ending mayoral control of public schools, actually reversed his stance. He decided to keep control, arguing that he needed the power to implement his "affordability agenda" through the school system.
It’s the kind of pragmatic—or some would say "politician-like"—move that shows he's learning how to pull the levers of power in a city that famously eats its mayors alive.
👉 See also: How Much Did Trump Add to the National Debt Explained (Simply)
The Affordability Agenda: Can He Deliver?
Mamdani's whole pitch is about rent, transit, and taxes. He wants to tax high earners and corporations to fund massive social programs. He’s promised to hire thousands of new teachers and create a "Department of Community Safety" to handle mental health and homelessness outside of traditional policing.
It’s an aggressive plan. Maybe the most aggressive since Fiorello La Guardia.
But he’s going to hit walls. The New York State Legislature and the Governor (who, let's remember, is Kathy Hochul, a frequent Cuomo ally) won't just hand him everything he wants. New York City politics is basically a blood sport, and the honeymoon period for a new mayor usually lasts about forty-five minutes.
Practical Steps for New Yorkers Right Now
If you live in the five boroughs, the Mamdani era means things are going to change fast. Here is what you should be watching:
- Monitor the Rent Guidelines Board: This is where the "affordability" rubber meets the road. Mamdani has pledged to use every tool to bring down or freeze rents.
- Track the "Fare-Free" Subway Pilots: He’s been a massive advocate for making the bus and subway free. Expect more pilot programs to pop up in specific neighborhoods soon.
- Watch the New Department of Community Safety: If you see fewer police responding to mental health calls and more social workers, that’s Mamdani’s vision in action.
Whether you're a fan of his democratic socialist roots or you're skeptical of his "relentless improvement" promises, there's no denying that New York City has entered a completely new chapter. The era of the "blue-collar cop" mayor is over. The era of the "Queens activist" has begun.
Keep an eye on the City Hall resume portal if you're looking for work; they apparently had 50,000 applicants in the first few weeks. Everyone wants a piece of the "New Era."