Mamdani becomes New York's youngest ever mayor

Zohran Mamdani, 34, is set to become the youngest mayor of New York City since 1892, the first of Indian background, the first Muslim and the first born in Africa. A state assembly member, he took on Democrat party heavyweights, ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, and Republican talk show host Curtis Silwa, 71.

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Mamdani won without the backing of mainstream Democrats, bags of money and widespread name recognition. Unlike his rivals, Mamdani ran for a major office unburdened with the negative baggage carried by predecessors. This was a major advantage as he could promise to honour campaign pledges without being blamed for failing to deliver as is the case of many politicians repeatedly running for office.

Mamdani previously worked as a foreclosure prevention and housing counsellor to lower-income immigrant homeowners in Queens who were faced with eviction notices. His job was to help them remain in their homes. He said the experience motivated him to stand for office to address the housing crisis. He has focused on bread-and-butter issues by promising to improve living conditions by providing affordable housing and food and called for an increase in the minimum wage to $30 an hour.