Zohran Mamdani has won the Democratic primary in New York City’s mayoral race, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. At 34, he is set to become the city’s youngest mayor in over a century when he takes office in January.
The Democrat secured 948,202 votes, or 50.6 percent, with 83 percent of ballots counted, according to the New York City Board of Elections. Andrew Cuomo followed with 776,547 votes (41.3 percent), while Curtis Sliwa received 137,030 votes.
The Board of Elections said about two million New Yorkers voted, the city’s highest turnout since 1969. Check-ins were led by Brooklyn with 571,857, followed by Manhattan (444,439), Queens (421,176), the Bronx (187,399), and Staten Island (123,827).
His victory marks a sharp shift in the city’s political direction. A self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani campaigned on affordability, housing, and climate action. He argues that the fight against the climate crisis is inseparable from improving daily life for working New Yorkers.
“Climate and quality of life are not two separate concerns,” Mamdani told The Nation earlier this year. “They are, in fact, one and the same.” His message has resonated across communities tired of high rents, unreliable transit, and extreme weather.
Mamdani’s campaign drew record youth turnout and strong support from first-time voters. His win signals growing public appetite for climate action that delivers tangible local benefits, cleaner air, affordable housing, and safer streets.
Who Is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani, an American politician of Indian origin, was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991. He is the son of renowned filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani. His mother is a Punjabi Hindu who grew up in Bhubaneswar Odisha, and his father is a Gujarati Muslim raised in Uganda.
The family moved from Uganda to South Africa and later settled in New York City when Mamdani was seven. He grew up in Morningside Heights, attended the Bronx High School of Science, and earned a degree in Africana studies from Bowdoin College in Maine.
Before entering politics, he worked as a housing counsellor in Queens, helping low-income immigrant families facing foreclosure. He also pursued music under the stage name Young Cardamom, collaborating with Ugandan artists and contributing to the soundtrack of his mother’s film Queen of Katwe.
Supporters see him as part of a new generation of leaders linking climate justice with economic reform. “He understands that the same forces driving inequality are driving climate change,” Usamah Andrabi, communications director at Justice Democrats told said The Guardian.
Environmental Plans for a Fairer City
Mamdani’s environmental agenda is built around practical, city-level action. His focus is on linking climate policy with affordability and quality of life.
- Green Schools and Climate Jobs: His flagship initiative, Green Schools for a Healthier New York City, would retrofit 500 public schools with rooftop solar panels, efficient heating and cooling systems, and green playgrounds.
- Ending Fossil Fuel Era: Mamdani supports full public ownership of the city’s energy system. He argues that public control would allow the city to plan for long-term resilience and affordability. He has pledged to oppose new fossil fuel infrastructure and to accelerate the closure of existing peaker plants by 2030.
- Enforcing Building Emission Cuts: Mamdani plans to uphold and strengthen Local Law 97, which caps carbon emissions from large buildings. Current Mayor Eric Adams faced criticism for creating loopholes that allowed landlords to delay upgrades.
- Affordable Green Housing: Mamdani wants to build 200,000 rent-stabilized homes near public transit. These developments would use energy-efficient designs and renewable energy. The plan aims to prevent displacement while reducing emissions from buildings, responsible for two-thirds of the city’s carbon output.
- Clean and Free Transit: Public transport is another key part of his plan. As an assembly member, Mamdani piloted fare-free buses in Queens. The pilot saw ridership rise 30 percent and a 39 percent drop in driver assaults.
- Paying for the Plan: To fund these initiatives, Mamdani proposes raising corporate tax rates to match neighboring New Jersey and introducing a two percent tax on individuals earning over $1 million a year.
Mamdani’s victory has given New Yorkers hope that climate action can serve everyone, not just the privileged few. As he prepares to govern, the city will be watching to see if that hope can become real change.
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