Mamdani, a 34-year-old progressive state assemblyman, won the mayoral race on November 4, 2025.He defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an Independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa by a wide margin.
His victory speech reflected both humility and determination.
“The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from the perfect candidate,” he told thousands of cheering supporters at Brooklyn Paramount.
“I am young. I am Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this.”
The crowd erupted, energized by his message of representation and change.
“New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change,” he continued, reinforcing the themes that guided his grassroots campaign.
