New Yorkers were jubilant after electing young leftist Zohran Mamdani as their next mayor on Tuesday.

Mamdani’s victory came in the face of fierce attacks on his policies and Muslim heritage from President Donald Trump, business elites and conservative media.

Mamdani, a state lawmaker for New York’s Queens borough, appealed to voters by pledging to tackle the soaring cost of living, offering free city bus travel, childcare and city-run grocery stores.

He focused on living costs facing ordinary New Yorkers, building support through his informal personal style, social media savvy and a massive canvassing ground game.

Header image: Supporters celebrate after New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is announced the winner in the mayoral race at the Brooklyn Paramount on November 4, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. — AFP