By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Zohran Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Party, has emerged victorious in New York City’s mayoral race, concluding a fiercely contested election that captured global attention.
His win in Tuesday’s election marks a historic moment for the city of over 8.4 million people, celebrated worldwide for its economic might and cultural influence. Mamdani’s victory makes him the first Muslim, the first person of South Asian descent, and the first African-born individual to hold New York City’s highest office.
“Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands,” the 34-year-old state assemblyman and newly elected mayor told a cheering crowd. “My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty.”
“New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city we can afford,” he added.
While celebrations erupted across the city, supporters stressed that Mamdani’s victory was driven not by identity but by his commitment to affordability.