New York mayor election: Zohran Mamdani names his ‘transition team’, to retain police chief

Zohran Mamdani challenged US President Donald Trump, who has launched a crackdown on immigration, saying that New York will be powered by immigrants and after his historic victory, will be “led by an immigrant”. He said, “So, Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you - Turn the volume up."

Democrats registered their biggest political victories since their stinging loss to Donald Trump a year ago with a series of wins Tuesday night in Virginia, New Jersey and New York, as the party united over a message of economic affordability and voters delivered a repudiation of the president.

Zohran Mamdani walked off the stage after his victory while the popular Hindi song ‘Dhoom Machale’ played. Watch the full video here.

Netizens reacted on X after the popular song ‘Dhoom Machale’ played after NYC mayor-elect Mamdani's speech. “Zohran Mamdani becomes the first elected mayor of New York City to walk off to Dhoom Machale Dhoom,” one user wrote. Another said, “zohran mamdani ending his victory speech by blasting dhoom machale … that’s my mayor…”

"If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him," Zohran Mamdani said in a victory speech to supporters. "In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light."

In another dig at the US president, NYC mayor-elect Mamdani said that he will put an end to corruption that has “allowed billionaires like Trump to evade taxation and exploit tax breaks”.

In what received massive applause, Zohran Mamdani responded to Trump's repeated threats and said that he has four words for the US president: ‘Turn the volume up’.

In his first speech after victory, NYC mayor-elect Mamdani thanked his mother, Mira Nair, for her support. He also invoked Jawaharlal Nehru's words from his famous Tryst with Destiny speech: ‘A moment comes, but rarely in history’

In his victory speech, Mamdani said, “My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty."

NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is the son of acclaimed Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair, who is known for her films centred on South Asian and Indian stories. The Academy Award-nominated director has made movies such as Salaam Bombay!, Mississippi Masala and Queen of Katwe. Mamdani was raised by Mira and her husband, Mahmood, in Uganda and South Africa before the family moved to New York.

In a speech, Cuomo called his campaign “a caution flag that we are headed down a dangerous, dangerous road" and noted that “almost half of New Yorkers did not vote to support a government agenda that makes promises that we know cannot be met."

Still, he corrected his supporters when they began to boo at the mention of Mamdani's name. “No, that is not right," he said, offering to help the incoming mayor in any way. “Tonight was their night.”

While the votes are still being counted, Mamdani so far received 50.3% of the votes, while former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running on an independent line after his loss to Mamdani in the primary, got 41.6%, according to the Associated Press. Republican Curtis Sliwa got 7.2% of the votes.

US President Donald Trump did not directly comment on Mamdani's victory. However, he posted on social media two main factors that drove Republican losses across Virginia, New Jersey and New York City. In a Truth Social post, he wrote: 'TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,' according to Pollsters."

Mayor-elect Mamdani will be sworn in on January 1, 2026. The 34-year-old lawmaker from Queens will be the youngest person to hold the office in a century. He’ll also be New York’s first Muslim mayor and first person of South Asian descent to lead the city in its 400-year history.

Tuesday's election was a big night for Democrats, who swept New York City, Virginia and New Jersey, providing the party some momentum as it looks ahead to the congressional midterm elections next year. Notably, all three Democratic candidates focused on economic issues, particularly affordability.

Former US President Barack Obama said, “Congratulations to all the Democratic candidates who won tonight. It’s a reminder that when we come together around strong, forward-looking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win. We’ve still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little bit brighter."

In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said, “'TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,' according to Pollsters.”

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.

The newly elected mayor of New York City was born to Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani, who was born in Mumbai in 1946.

Democrat Zohran Mamdani has been elected the new mayor of the New York City, according to AP and NYT.

City Council President Mary Sheffield will be Detroit’s newest mayor and the first woman to lead the city. She defeated popular megachurch pastor the Rev Solomon Kinloch in Tuesday’s election.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill was on Tuesday elected governor of New Jersey after she defeatedRepublican Jack Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by Donald Trump.

According to an AP Voter Poll, most voters in New York City were concerned about the cost of living, and in particular, the cost of housing. About 6 in 10 New York City voters said the cost of living was the most important issue facing their city. Meanwhile, about 7 in 10 voters said the cost of housing where they live was “a major problem".