NEW YORK – Zohran Mamdani’s stunning rise to power has made history in New York City politics. The 34-year-old assemblyman from Queens will officially take office as mayor in 2026 following his upset victory over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
How it happened
What we know:
Mamdani’s win was more than a political surprise — it was a generational shift. His campaign, fueled by a grassroots movement focused on housing affordability, inequality and public safety reform, drew New York City’s highest voter turnout in fifty years.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 26: New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani reacts during an election rally with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) at Forest Hills Stadium on October 26, 2025 in the Queens borough
The victory positions Mamdani as one of the most progressive leaders ever elected in the city’s history. Supporters call his platform a bold vision for the future, while critics warn it may be difficult to implement sweeping proposals such as universal child care, city-run grocery stores and a reimagined public safety system.
His election also ignited national debate: Mamdani’s past statements on policing and Israel have drawn both praise and criticism, signaling that his tenure could redefine the boundaries of local leadership in the nation’s largest city.
Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayoral candidate, during an election night event at The Brooklyn Paramount Theater in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Mamdani’s background
The backstory:
Born Oct. 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani immigrated to New York City with his family at age seven and grew up in Astoria, Queens.
A graduate of Bowdoin College, he co-founded the school’s first Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. According to the Associated Press, Mamdani became a naturalized U.S. citizen several years after college.
He was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, representing western Queens, and quickly rose to prominence as a Democratic Socialist, aligning with national progressive figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders.
When does Mamdani take office as NYC mayor?
Timeline:
Mamdani will be inaugurated on January 1, 2026, succeeding Mayor Eric Adams.
Transition planning is already underway, with his team expected to outline cabinet appointments and early policy priorities in the coming weeks.
As he prepares to take office, Mamdani faces mounting expectations from supporters and skeptics alike — all watching to see whether his ambitious promises can withstand the political and fiscal realities of running New York City.
The Source: Information from FOX 5 NY election coverage and the Associated Press was used in this report.
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