Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani Wins NYC Mayoral Election

Zohran Mamdani, a far-left, democratic socialist candidate, won the New York City mayoral election yesterday, meaning that the city could receive some major changes over the next four years.

Mamdani, born to Hindu and Muslim parents in Uganda, won the election with around 50.4% of the vote, edging out Trump-endorsed independent candidate Andrew Cuomo (41.9%), and Republican Curtis Sliwa (7.1%). Cuomo dominated across Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn while winning the Upper East Side of Manhattan and central Queens, but Mamdani scored the votes of most Manhattanites, almost all of downtown Brooklyn, and flipped the Bronx from the primaries in June.

Mamdani will now become the mayor of the most populous city in the United States, which could have implications on policies in other cities as well. He is also the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor in New York City's history.

The Muslim leader has strongly expressed his support for many policies that can be viewed as socialist, including universal childcare, free buses, government-owned grocery stores, and a rent freeze, helping New Yorkers with the city's largest problem: affordability. Mamdani, as a Muslim, also maintains an anti-Israel stance and supports Palestine in their fight against the Jewish state.

Nevertheless, his plans rely on a funding program that taxes the rich. To supply the New York City government with the money to implement his plans, Mamdani has proposed a 2% increase in taxes on millionaires – New York City is the city in the world with the most millionaires, encompassing 1 in every 24 people – and an increase of the corporate tax rate from 8.85% to 11.5%.

Additionally, many critics have pointed out that Mamdani has never held a real job for a long period of time and has remained in subsidized housing for most of his post-graduate life. This drew ire among citizens, many of whom believe that he does not have their interests in mind and cannot deliver on his promises.

Mamdani also faces opposition from US President Donald Trump, who is far-right and strongly rejects the mayor's socialist ideologies. In fact, Trump has even threatened to halt federal funding for the city if Mamdani was elected, but it is unclear whether he will go through with that decision.

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Image credit to AP