Nov. 4, 2025, was a big day for progressives across the United States. After nearly a year of President Donald Trump’s term, many left-leaning Americans saw the results of the municipal elections as a ray of hope. Notable races in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York all ended in Democratic victories, reflecting the mounting frustration with the current administration. New York’s mayoral race was particularly notable, as its candidates captured the media’s attention for months, and a city mayoral election suddenly became the focus of national scrutiny. Zohran Mamdani, Curtis Sliwa, and Andrew Cuomo were the three main candidates, with Mamdani and Sliwa representing the two major political parties, and Cuomo running as an independent.
The Candidates
Mamdani: At just 34-years-old, democratic socialist Mamdani has become New York’s first Muslim mayor. Born in Uganda, Mamdani moved to NYC at seven years old. He attended Bowdoin College, where he received his bachelor’s degree. He returned to the city after, where he began his work to improve it. Mamdani’s career as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor allowed him to fully understand the serious housing crisis that New York was going through. Prior to his election as mayor, Mamdani represented New York’s 36th Assembly District. Housing and affordability have continued to be key issues that Mamdani’s work in the New York State Assembly, as well as his campaign for mayor, have focused on.
Sliwa: The oldest candidate in the race at 71-years-old, Sliwa gained notoriety online during the election for his memorable anecdotes, signature red beret, and the many rescue cats he lives with, along with his wife, in the upper west side of Manhattan. A lifetime New Yorker, Sliwa founded the Guardian Angels at age 24, a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to deterring violent crime. The organization has faced controversy since they are not official law enforcement officers, and some believe that they target immigrants and people of color. Sliwa’s campaign focused on issues such as public and transit safety, affordable housing, and the jail system within the city (specifically Rikers Island reform).
Cuomo: Despite having the most political experience of the three candidates, Cuomo was the most controversial candidate in the election. Cuomo got his undergraduate degree from Fordham University and his law degree from Albany Law School. Prior to this campaign, his notable careers have included United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in President Clinton’s administration, Attorney General of New York, and Governor of New York. In 2021, Cuomo resigned from his position as governor due to the many sexual harassment claims leveled against him by 11 women. Despite leaving public office just four years ago because of these allegations, Cuomo decided to run for NYC mayor to focus on issues such as education and childcare, affordability, public and transit safety, and housing.
Election Results
Mamdani won the election with 50.4% of the votes, ushering in a new age of politics for NYC and the US. This election turnout was the largest in more than 50 years, with New York voters showing up in droves to support the young candidate. The heart of Mamdani’s campaign — a rent freeze, better public transit, more affordable living, and free childcare — rang true with many voters. Volunteer canvassers went door to door trying to spread his campaign messages. Fellow candidates like Cuomo also had canvassers, but he had to pay them to get the same support that Mamdani’s followers eagerly did for free.
Mamdani also used social media to his advantage, once again showing his youth compared to his competitors. Mamdani was clear and straightforward on many big issues that politicians often seem to skirt around. He openly condemned Israel’s genocide in Gaza, a point that many young voters identify as crucial. Also at the heart of Mamdani’s campaign were visually striking graphics and posters. Much like everything else in his campaign, these graphics were different from the traditional American color scheme that candidates default to in their advertising. The traditional blue and red were combined with a third color, orange, which represents Mamdani’s Indian heritage and commonplace views in NYC, such as taxis. Utilizing a font often found on Bollywood posters and a design reminiscent of New York bodegas, Mamdani perfectly blended his heritage with New York culture.
Election Implications
Never without a smile on his face, Mamdani has begun his time as mayor-elect by winning over those who doubted and criticized him, including Trump. Prior to their meeting on Nov. 21, Trump had frequently referred to Mamdani as a communist, with one specific remark after Mamdani’s win in the Democratic primary calling him “a 100% Communist lunatic.” Sentiments were similar (though much more cordial) on Mamdani’s side. He promised to create a “Trump-proof” NYC and referred to the president as a “despot.” Despite this seemingly tense history, Trump, much like the American public, was won over by Mamdani’s charm during their meeting. All smiles during their meeting, Trump ended by saying that he was “confident that [Mamdani] can do a very good job” and would be a “really great mayor.”
Mamdani’s campaign was revolutionary, but necessary during this time of uncertainty and upheaval. Mamdani seems to be a genuinely good person, a politician who is truly “for the people,” and one who provides a ray of hope for the Democratic party, as well as the American people.