Mamdani soars to victory in New York

DONALD Trump had decisively won the US presidential election last November and very few people outside New York's leftist circles knew Zohran Mamdani, who had just declared his longshot mayoral candidacy.

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NEW York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani celebrates during an election night event in New York. | AFP

(AFP)

What a difference a year can make.

Crowds across the city chanted Mamdani’s name this week as champagne and tears flowed for the democratic socialist from Queens turned New York mayor-elect.

“Mamdaniiiii,” one group exclaimed, substituting the 34-year-old’s name for the customary “cheese” as they posed for a photo at a Brooklyn bar watch party.

Voters gathered there in cautious optimism, sporting Mamdani merch as they anxiously awaited the evening's results, classic songs such as Frank Sinatra's “New York, New York” and edgier tracks from Lou Reed blasting from the speakers.

“It’s like, too scary to be hopeful,” Michelle Dimuzio said with a nervous laugh before the polls closed.

However, Dimuzio’s trepidation proved unwarranted as early results began to roll in with Mamdani soundly in the lead.