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Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old self-described Democratic socialist who has called himself ‘Trump’s worst nightmare,’ has claimed victory in the primary for the New York City mayor’s race.
Mamdani – a state legislator – took down ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo and several other candidates in the primary, the results of which won’t be officially confirmed until July 1 due to the city’s ranked choice voting system.
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.
Zohran Mamdani (pictured), a 33-year-old self-described Democratic socialist who has called himself ‘Trump’s worst nightmare,’ claimed victory in the primary for the New York City mayor’s race
Mamdani – a state legislator – took down ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo (pictured) and several other candidates in the primary, the results of which won’t be officially confirmed until July 1 due to the city’s ranked choice voting system
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.
Mamdani kisses the hand of his wife Rama Duwaji as they celebrate. The legislator infamously met his wife on the dating app Hinge
Mamdani reacts next to his mother Mira Nair and wife Rama Duwaji during a watch party for his primary election. Nair is a film director who once helmed a film starring Denzel Washington
‘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.’
The Republican Party wasted no time in attempting to tie Mamdani to a liberal faction of the opposition that is speeding out of control
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.’
‘I called Assemblyman Mamdani to congratulate him on tonight’s victory,’ Cuomo said.
‘I also thank my team, which did a great job during this campaign. I want to look at all the numbers as they come in and analyze the rank choice voting. I will then consult with my colleagues on what is the best path for me to help the City of New York, as I have already qualified to run for mayor on an independent line in November.’
Mamdani would be the city´s first Muslim and Indian American mayor if elected.
A relatively unknown state legislator when the contest began, Mamdani gained momentum by running a sharp campaign laser-focused on the city´s high cost of living and secured endorsements from two of the country´s foremost progressives, Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders.
Born in Uganda before moving to the US when he was seven, Mamdani is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University Professor Mahmood Mamdani.
Nair is most famous for her 1991 romantic flick ‘Mississippi Masala’, staring Denzel Washington while Mahmood teaches colonial studies at the liberal school in the city.
Supporters of Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani cheer as they watch results come in at his primary election party
The progressive wing of the Democrat party has coalesced around the socialist, who would be New York’s first Muslim mayor if elected.
He has gained momentum by running a campaign focused on the city’s high cost of living.
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.
Outside of politics, the likes of Emily Ratajkowski and Saturday Night Live’s Bowen Yang have thrown their weight behind Mamdani.
His sharp campaign has made full use of social media, with videos of him interviewing Trump voters going viral.
An army of young hipster canvassers have relentlessly knocked on doors throughout the city seeking support, while his grinning mug has been plastered across the city.
Appearing on a podcast earlier this month, Mamdani also revealed that he and his wife, artist Rama Duwaji, had met on dating app Hinge.
The State assemblyman said: ‘I found my wife on Hinge. So (dating apps) still work. Just to let people know.
Actress Cynthia Nixon (pictured center) – who unsuccessfully challenged Cuomo for governor nearly a decade ago – watches on at Mamdani’s watch party
Actor Kal Penn attends an election night gathering for Zohran Mamdani
It’s not all roses. In a city torn over Israel’s campaign against Hamas following the October 7 attacks, he has been called to show support Israel’s right to exist.
His pro-Palestinian stance – he has famously said he would arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to the city for war crimes – has sparked outrage amongst the Jewish communities, which make up a large portion of the city.
On Monday night he appeared alongside fellow candidate Brad Lander on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’, and was questioned over his stance.
He and Lander – New York’s comptroller – have endorsed each other in hopes of ‘sending Cuomo back to the suburbs,’ Mamdani told Colbert.
Colbert pushed him on his refusal to condemn calls to ‘globalize the intifada’, adding: ‘they are afraid that your mayorship would actually lead to increased antisemitism.’
The question teed up Mamdani to denounce antisemitism while not addressing his past statements, which have included calls to ‘globalize the intifada’ that some say is a call to violence against Jews.
When asked during a podcast interview last week if the phrase made him uncomfortable, Mamdani merely said it captured ‘a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights.’
During the interview, Colbert, 61, asked Mamdani and Lander about Israel and whether they believe it ‘has the right to exist.’
Mamdani revealed that he and his wife, artist Rama Duwaji, had met on dating app Hinge. The couple are seen here together
‘Yes, like all nations. I believe it has a right to exist, and a responsibility also to uphold international law,’ Mamdani said.
Mamdani has previously said he hopes Palestinians gain political agency peacefully and that his criticism of the Israeli government is not equivalent to antisemitism.
After the podcast appearance, Jewish leaders including Rep. Daniel Goldman and the Anti-Defamation League criticized Mamdani for his remarks.
The Holocaust Museum in Washington DC even weighed in, calling his comments both ‘outrageous and especially offensive’.
As he has surged in the polls and popularity, clips of him calling for the New York Police Department to be removed from high crime areas in the city have resurfaced.
In one video, he says: ‘I think we need to ask ourselves, look at how the policing is done in the suburbs.
‘When people make mistakes, the answer is not to throw them in jail. The answer is to find a non-carceral solution.
‘For many people, especially Black people, they are not offered the same opportunity.’
Extraordinary video of Mamdani rapping have since reemerged, showing bopping along in a music video without his shirt on
In his victory speech, he referenced Nelson Mandela and remained steadfast that his socialist views wouldn’t change.
‘I will not abandon my beliefs or my commitments,’ he said.
‘Tonight we made history. In the words of Nelson Mandela, it always seems impossible until it is done. My friends, we have done it.’
However, he did attempt to seek some common ground with voters who backed other candidates or didn’t vote at all.
‘I will be the mayor for every New Yorker, whether you voted for me, for governor Cuomo, or felt too disillusioned by a long-broken political system to vote at all,’ he said.
‘I will work to be a mayor you will be proud to call your own.’
