Zohran Mamdani, known for his anti-Israel stance, won the New York City mayoral election on Tuesday.
Multiple networks - including CNN and Fox News - projected Mamdani’s victory after polls closed at 9:00 p.m. local time.
With 80% of the votes having been counted, Mamdani was leading with 50.6%, while former Governor Andrew Cuomo had 41.2% and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa had 7.4%.
Cuomo conceded defeat late on Tuesday night, calling on his supporters to unite behind Mamdani, despite being met with boos and jeers from the crowd.
“Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani,” Cuomo said, as the audience erupted in protest.
“That’s not right, that’s not us,” he added, attempting to calm the crowd.
“Tonight was their night, and as they start to transition to government, we will all help any way we can, because we need our New York City government to work. We want it to work for all New Yorkers because our city is the greatest city in the world, and we will unite for New York City because we love New York City,” Cuomo said.
He also stressed, “We cherish our diversity and we have no tolerance for discrimination of any kind. We will not tolerate any behavior that fans the flames of antisemitism.”
Speaking to supporters after his victory, Mamdani said, “The future is in our hands.”
Celebrating what he called an upset win, Mamdani declared, “My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty,” in reference to Cuomo.
“I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life. But let tonight be the final time I utter his name,” Mamdani added.
He also vowed, “We will build a city hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism.”
Mamdani added, “No more will New York be a city where you can traffic in Islamophobia and win an election.”
Mamdani has come under fire for his anti-Israel stance, which includes his criticism of Israel on October 8, 2023 - just one day after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel, as well as his refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada”.
He also recently declared that he would stop using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of antisemitism.
In addition, Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of war crimes in its battle against Hamas in Gaza, and has vowed to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York City, citing the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu - even though the US is not a member of the ICC.
President Donald Trump announced Monday that he was endorsing Cuomo, but that was not enough to help the former Governor to a victory.
Elsewhere, Abigail Spanberger, a former Democratic congresswoman and CIA officer, has been projected to be elected as Virginia’s next governor and become the state’s first female chief executive.
CNN also projected that Democrat Ghazala Hashmi will win the Virginia lieutenant governor’s race and become the nation’s first Muslim woman elected to statewide office.
In New Jersey, Rep. Mikie Sherrill is projected to retain Democratic control over the governorship, defeating Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by Trump.
Trump had earlier praised 32,000 Orthodox Jews around Lakewood and Jackson, New Jersey, whom he said voted for Ciattarelli.
“My friends in this Great Community know how important this Election is to New Jersey, and to our Country,” he wrote on Truth Social.