It’s official — Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as the 111th mayor of New York City, becoming the first Indian American ever to lead the Big Apple. Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in a historic three-way race.
Shortly after 9:00 p.m., as polls closed across all five boroughs, it became clear that the city that never sleeps was in for another historic, sleepless night.
Mamdani ran a fearless campaign that upended traditional canvassing playbooks and challenged establishment figures like Cuomo and Sliwa. Over the months, he emerged as a favorite not only among progressives but also among younger and more diverse voters across class, race, and religion.
Soon after Mamdani’s stunning victory, Senator Bernie Sanders took to social media, writing: “Starting at 1% in the polls, Zohran Mamdani pulled off one of the great political upsets in modern American history.” He added, “I look forward to working with Zohran as he builds a city that works for all.”
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For South Asian Americans, Mamdani’s win was more than a political milestone — it was deeply symbolic. At a time of rising anti-immigrant sentiment and racial polarization, his victory reaffirmed the enduring promise of America: that merit, perseverance, and principle can still triumph.
Across New York City, Indian Americans and other South Asian communities poured into the streets to celebrate. Japneet Singh, a community activist and former City Council candidate from Queens, who has been a steadfast supporter of Mamdani, summed up the moment: “Growing up in NYC post-9/11, I never thought I would see a South Asian mayor in my lifetime.”
In Astoria, Queens, where Mamdani, along with his wife, had cast the vote in the morning, the energy was palpable. People across the city across pubs and eateries gathered in groups as they watched the final countdown. Soon as the results were announced there was a lot of cheering, followed by music and dance till late into the night.
New York-based education strategist and community builder Aditi Paul, talking to the American Bazaar, about the mood in New York late on Tuesday night, said, “Zohran is in the air!” She added, “Mamdani went from rapping kanda chap chap to being the mayor of New York City in a span of 10 years. If this is not the most New York thing ever, I don’t know what is.”
Saikat Chakrabarti, another Indian American candidate who is running for Congress from for California’s 11th congressional district, says, “Zohran, just proved that it does not matter how much money they throw at you. Organized people will defeat organized money, if you stand for real change.”
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Mamdani’s victory has been closely followed not only in New York but across the United States — and even in India. Supporters say the strength of his campaign lay in his ability to unite people under a shared vision, even those who disagreed with him on specific issues. When it came to affordability, quality of life, and social justice, few could argue with his message.
One notable show of support came from @HindusforZohran, a grassroots affinity group that emerged on Instagram after Mamdani’s primary win. In the days leading up to the election, its members, hopeful for his victory, even held a special pooja over the weekend.
“Not just that, Zohran effectively broke into many circles, including the liberal Jews who voted in big numbers for Zohran, said activist Ruchira Gupta.
Entrepreneur Anip Patel said, “Zohran Mamdani is the new Mayor of NYC – making a historic moment in the city’s political landscape. A noteworthy moment in history, and a night that will be studied and discussed in the years to come.”