For the first time in over thirty years, more than two million people cast ballots in the mayoral race, according to the New York City Board of Elections on Tuesday.
The board claims that this is "the first time that the turnout figure has crossed 2 million since 1969." Just before polls closed at 9 p.m. local time (02:00 GMT on Wednesday), the message was posted, highlighting the extent of public participation in what ended up being one of the city's most carefully watched and historic elections.
The public's intense interest in a hotly contested and politically fraught race that ultimately saw Zohran Mamdani win was reflected in the record breaking turnout.
According to Decision Desk HQ, Mamdani has emerged victorious in the election for mayor of New York City, ushering in a new age of progressive politics and reigniting discussion over the future of the Democratic Party, according to The Hill. This is a historic and revolutionary moment for the city.
Mamdani, a 34 year old democratic socialist, is expected to become the first Muslim and millennial mayor of New York City. He defeated Republican Curtis Sliwa in the contest to succeed Mayor Eric Adams and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary. His triumph has been called one of the most spectacular political upsets in recent memory.
The Hill claims that Mamdani's campaign emphasized equity and affordability, promising to "freeze rent," create "city owned grocery stores," and provide "buses free for riders." Prominent Democratic leaders were divided over whether to support him due to his ambitious agenda, which struck a chord with younger and working class voters and made him both an icon among progressives and a polarizing figure inside the party.
Mamdani's opinions on the Israel Hamas conflict were one of the campaign's most divisive issues. He was heavily criticized, as The Hill pointed out, for not immediately denouncing the term "globalise the intifada."
Although he has never used the phrase himself, pro Israel activists contend that it "risks inciting violence against Zionists and Jews," while pro Palestinian activists interpret it as an appeal for "Palestinian liberation."
Since then, Mamdani has promised "not to use the term" and promised to "discourage others from using it," but Cuomo used the matter as a significant point of contention throughout the campaign. The rising rift over Middle East politics among the Democratic Party was reflected in the issue, which turned into a crisis.
Mamdani has been an outspoken opponent of Israel, accusing it of "genocide in Gaza" and threatening to "have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he set foot in the city," according to The Hill. He also claimed that New York should uphold "arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court."
His remarks sparked criticism from pro Israel voices as well as applause from pro Palestinian organizations, deepening the ideological divisions among the city's voters.
Mamdani was also under fire for his earlier remarks advocating for the "defunding" of the police. He did, however, later publicly apologize to the New York Police Department in an interview with Fox News, which was interpreted as an effort to improve relations with both law enforcement and moderate voters.
In the meantime, Cuomo's campaign was hampered by his personal scandals even though it had the support of a number of well known Democrats. Following accusations of sexual harassment, which he has refuted, he resigned as governor in 2021.
The Hill added that Cuomo's testimony to Congress about a state health report on nursing facility fatalities during the COVID-19 outbreak was the subject of a Justice Department inquiry.
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa remained in the contest despite Mayor Adams' withdrawal and endorsement of Cuomo, garnering a double digit share of the vote that probably helped Mamdani.
President Donald Trump unexpectedly endorsed Cuomo in the closing stages of the campaign. In deep blue New York City, The Hill noted that the change had little effect on him.
Progressives around the nation are energized by Mamdani's triumph, but it also begs the issue of whether the new mayor will be able to carry out his ambitious agenda and resolve the political conflicts between the moderate and left leaning parts of the Democratic Party.
The Hill claims that his victory could influence the national dialogue over the Democratic Party's future course, which is now divided between its progressive wing and the establishment wing, which is represented by individuals like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
