Zohran Mamdani completed his meteoric rise overnight Tuesday, transforming from an obscure local activist in New York politics into mayor of the largest city in the United States. The position will give him a massive public platform to advance his socialist and anti-Israel agenda—not only within New York but across the country—deepening the ideological shift in the Democratic Party and strengthening its progressive flank.
Mamdani, appearing with his wife Rama Dawaji at his victory rally Wednesday morning, celebrated a decisive win over former governor Andrew Cuomo, beating him by a far larger margin than expected. With more than a million votes, he achieved a record no candidate had reached in New York since 1969. According to a CNN exit poll, about 33% of Jewish voters in New York—home to the largest Jewish community outside Israel—cast their ballots for Mamdani, despite his refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and his past support for boycotts against it. Cuomo, who repeatedly warned about rising antisemitism, received 63% of the Jewish vote.
Mamdani's victory speech
In his victory speech, Mamdani, who campaigned as a democratic socialist, said: “We have won because New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford. A city where they can do more than just struggle.” He added, “I am Muslim. And I refuse to apologize for it.” Turning to former President Donald Trump, who had threatened to withhold federal funds if New York elected “a communist,” Mamdani smiled and said: “Trump—turn up the volume.”
Mamdani’s campaign attracted a surge of young voters with sweeping promises: free express bus lines, free day care, municipally owned grocery stores with price controls, and a citywide rent freeze. Political commentators, however, doubt that he can deliver such ambitious plans—at least not quickly or in full. The new mayor, 34, is also the first Muslim ever elected to lead New York City. Yet his sharp criticism of Israel did not deter Jewish or Israeli-born residents from supporting him. Many said they were driven by frustration with housing costs, public transit, and the city’s soaring cost of living.
Mamdani has denied accusations from opponents that he himself is antisemitic or that he helped stoke antisemitic attacks during the Gaza war by taking part in anti-Israel demonstrations. In his victory speech he promised to combat “the scourge of antisemitism,” while also calling for stronger political representation for Muslim New Yorkers. “We will build a city where more than one million Muslims know they belong—not only across the five boroughs but also in the corridors of power,” he said. Asked later about his participation in protests that used the chant “Globalize the Intifada,” Mamdani told reporters, “These words have different meanings for many different people … I’ve been clear that any incitement to violence is something that I’m in opposition to.”
Even before the official announcement, excitement filled Astoria, the Queens neighborhood where Mamdani lives. Dozens gathered outside a local café, watching makeshift TV screens strung across the walls. When news anchors declared the race over, the crowd leaned forward to make sure they heard correctly. Then came hesitant applause, a few hugs between strangers, and a collective sigh of relief.
Roni Zehavi, 26, an Israeli volunteer on Mamdani’s campaign, said she wasn’t surprised. “The cost of living here is unbearable,” she said. “Mamdani was the only candidate who understood that. He said that starting January 1, this will be a new city—one that serves all its residents, Jewish or Muslim.” Roi, another supporter, said Mamdani “delivered a simple message, and it worked. He talked about what hurts—rent above $4,000 for a one-bedroom, a subway that feels abandoned, the sense that you can’t live here unless you’re either rich or resigned. People didn’t want slogans. They wanted someone who sees them.”
Across the city, emotions ran high. On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Michal Zusman, who had spent weeks phone banking and organizing support for Cuomo, returned from a local memorial for Yitzhak Rabin with heavy disappointment. “It’s a very hard blow,” she said. “Not just for the Israeli community but for everyone who cares about this city’s future. We worked around the clock—calls, messages, WhatsApp groups, talking to people who never voted before—but turnout worked both ways, and unfortunately, it worked better for the other side.” Zusman expressed concern that “a man who has never managed anything beyond a student group for Palestine is now responsible for a city of nine million residents and a $116 billion budget.” She added that it was “heartbreaking” that so many Jews and Israelis voted for him. “This man publicly said he’s considering canceling the IHRA definition of antisemitism in public schools—a decision that could directly affect our children,” she said. “He’s also said he’ll reexamine the city’s partnership with Cornell Tech and the Technion. These aren’t abstract words—this is our new mayor.”
Jewish umbrella organizations issued a series of statements aimed at reassurance and accountability. The UJA-Federation of New York said: “We need to acknowledge that many in our community are fearful over the results. But ours is not a monolithic community, never has been. More important, the New York Jewish community has always been strong and resilient. That will never change.” The federation added that it would “stand up forcefully and unapologetically for our community’s needs, for Israel, and for all New Yorkers.”
Other organizations, including the ADL, AJC, and Jewish Community Relations Council, had not issued formal statements by Wednesday evening but were said to be monitoring developments and calling for calm. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt has previously criticized Mamdani for what he described as limited engagement with mainstream Jewish groups. The Republican Jewish Coalition, in a statement on X, said: “Democrats again failed to stand with Jewish Americans, this time in New York City. Raging antisemite, anti-America, anti-Israel, Democrat socialist Zohran Mamdani will be a total disaster for Jewish residents.”