Zohran Mamdani takes dramatic step to become next NYC mayor
It's a shock victory for a firebrand lefty who has won the backing of progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders — says he wants to tax the wealthy and dole out free childcare and bus rides and cheaper groceries and rents. His campaign has pushed populist ideas like free public buses, rent freezes for rent-stabilized apartments, and grocery stores that would be owned by the city. In a televised debate before the primary, he said he would 'fight back' against the Republican president.
'I am Donald Trump 's worst nightmare, as a progressive, Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things I believe in,' he said. In his victory speech given late Tuesday night and attended by lefty celebrities like actress Cynthia Nixon, actor Kal Penn and Kamala Harris' stepdaughter Ella Emhoff, he referred to Trump as a fascist to cheers from the crowd.
'We have won because New Yorkers have stood up for a city that they can afford. A city where they can do more than just struggle. And it is where the mayor will use their power to reject Donald Trump's fascism,' he said. Mamdani appeared to receive praise from both the progressive and moderate wings of the Democrat Party.
Longtime leftist icon Sanders wrote: 'Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani and his thousands of grassroots supporters for their extraordinary campaign. You took on the political, economic and media Establishment- and you beat them. Now it's on to victory in the general election.' Ocasio-Cortez, whose own victory seven years ago similarly shook the Democrat establishment, also congratulated him.
'Congratulations, @ZohranKMamdani. Your dedication to an affordable, welcoming, and safe New York City where working families can have a shot has inspired people across the city. Billionaires and lobbyists poured millions against you and our public finance system. And you won.'
Even Kathy Hochul, New York's governor who attempts to position herself as moderate, gave kudos to the presumptive nominee, suggesting the very establishment Mamdani railed against may be willing to work with him. 'Today, voters made their voices heard, demanding a more affordable, more livable New York City. I hear them loud and clear. @ZohranKMamdani built a formidable grassroots coalition, and I look forward to speaking with him in the days ahead about his ideas on how to ensure a safe, affordable, and livable New York City.'
The Republican Party wasted no time in attempting to tie him to a liberal faction of the opposition that is speeding out of control. Elise Stefanik, a key Trump ally who has hinted at running against Hochul for governor, said her 'stomach is in knots' over Mamdani's victory. 'The idea that a self-avowed socialist and Hamas Terrorist sympathizer like Mamdani could become the next mayor of New York City truly makes me sick.'
Trump supporter and Cuomo donor Bill Ackman - who has fought hard against campus anti-Semitism - begged Democrats to coalesce around a centrist who could beat him. Before the election, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated a potential windfall for his state if Mamdani won. 'Just when you thought Palm Beach real estate couldn't go any higher,' he joked, noting how many New Yorkers have flocked to Florida.
Mamdani's opponents in the general would include Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, who took the Republican nomination unopposed; Eric Adams, who skipped the Democrat primary to run independently; and even potentially Cuomo again, who could also run as an independent. In a statement to DailyMail.com, Sliwa painted Mamdani as dangerous for the future of New York 'Zohran Mamdani is too extreme for a city already on edge. This race is not over. I'm not part of the political class. I've spent my life fighting for New Yorkers in every borough,' he said. 'I'm running to be the People's Mayor because I'm the only one who can make this city safe and affordable for those who feel one paycheck away from being pushed out. I'm ready to be your next Mayor to move this forward for us.'
Eric Adams, who skipped the primary over his frustrations with the party and is running as an independent to retain his title, slammed Mamdani's inexperience. 'What NYC deserves is a mayor who's proud to run on his record—not one who ran from his record, or one who has no record. We deserve a mayor who will keep driving down crime, support our police, fight antisemitism, and stand up for working-class New Yorkers. It's time to unite.'
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