Zohran Mamdani, a Uganda-born American politician, has been elected as the mayor of New York City, according to results announced on November 4. Mamdani, who was born in Kampala to academic Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of seven and settled in New York City.

Prior to his election, Mamdani served as a member of the New York State Assembly and identifies as a democratic socialist. In his victory speech, the 34-year-old mayor-elect addressed a crowd of supporters, stating, “Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands.” He also emphasized that the election result marked a significant shift in the city’s politics, saying, “My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty.”

With 90 percent of the votes counted, Mamdani led his opponent, former governor Cuomo, by approximately nine percentage points, securing 1,033,471 votes to Cuomo’s 852,032. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa garnered around seven percent of the vote. Mamdani’s campaign focused on addressing the high cost of living in New York City, with promises to reduce expenses and improve the quality of life for working individuals.

As part of his platform, Mamdani pledged to utilize all available tools to decrease rent, enhance public transportation, and make it more feasible for families to thrive in the city. His election marks a significant milestone in New York City’s political landscape, with many residents hoping that his administration will bring about meaningful change. As the city looks to the future, Mamdani’s leadership is expected to have a profound impact on the lives of New Yorkers, particularly in regards to affordability and accessibility. The newly elected mayor’s policies and initiatives will be closely watched in the coming months as he works to implement his vision for a more equitable and affordable New York City.