Zohran Mamdani has won the closely watched mayoral election in New York City, defeating independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, according to projections by the Associated Press.
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, will make history as the city’s first Muslim mayor. He has garnered support from liberal voters with his ambitious plans, which include free childcare, free bus transportation, and a rent freeze impacting approximately one million rent-regulated New Yorkers.
In addition to Mamdani’s victory, Democratic candidates are also achieving wins in other significant races, including the gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia.
Meanwhile, voters in California are deciding whether to approve new congressional maps that could potentially flip as many as five Republican-held House seats to Democratic control in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.