When Will Zohran Mamdani Take Charge As 111Th New York Mayor? A Look At His Key Challenges

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Winning one of the most competitive elections, Zohran Mamdani scripted history on Tuesday night by getting elected as the next Mayor of New York.

Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

Mamdani, the Ugandan-born son of filmmaker Mira Nair and professor Mahmood Mamdani, becomes New York's first Muslim mayor and first person of South Asian descent to lead the city.

“Tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city we can afford, and a mandate for a government that can deliver exactly that,” Mamdani told his supporters at a raucous party.

Also Read | 3 Muslims of Indian origin deal the biggest blow yet to Trump's MAGA rhetoric How many people voted in New York election?

In the largest turnout in a mayoral race in over five decades, over 2 million people voted, according to the New York City Board of Elections.

In the last election, in 2021, turnout was 23 percent, a modern-day low, reported New York Times.

Which boroughs Mamdani won?

Zohran Mamdani won four of the five boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island).

Also Read | Can Trump cut NY's funding after Zohran Mamdani's mayoral win? What we know When will Mamdani get sworn-in?

Zohran Mamdani has been elected as 111th mayor of New York. An avowed democratic socialist will be sworn-in on January 1. He becomes the youngest person to hold the office in decades.

“On January 1, I will be sworn in as the mayor of New York City. And that is because of you. So before I say anything else, I must say this...thank you,” said Mamdani.

How many votes Mamdani and his opponents received?

- Mamdani received 1,036,051 or 50.4% votes of the 91% counted votes.

- Ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo who contested as an independent after losing primary to Mamdani, polled 854,995 or 41.6% votes.

- Republican Curtis Sliwa got 146,137 or 7.1% votes.

Also Read | 'A Moment Comes...': Zohran Mamdani echoes Nehru's words in victory speech What will be Mamdani's key challenges?

As the Mayor of New York, the Democrat's key challenge will be maintaining relationship with the White House and deliver what he promised on affordability.

From calling him 'communist lunatic' to threatening to withhold funding, President Donald Trump has repeatedly slammed Mamdani.

“It is my strong conviction that New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster should Mamdani win,” Trump posted Monday on Truth Social.“I don't want to send, as President, good money after bad.”

Mamdani's successes - and failures - will be closely scrutinised, said a BBC report.

“Mamdani's got to get his ideas realized in policy, and New York is notoriously difficult to govern. It's arguably the second hardest political job in the United States, after the president. feels Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

So whatever he's able to accomplish, it won't be easy, Guardin quoted Reeher as saying.

Andrew Rein, head of New York City Citizens Budget Commission organisation told Politico that Mamdani will be walking into a very challenging fiscal situation with the city budget,“and a challenging federal situation with changing policies that are going to stress all sorts of systems in the city.”

Also Read | 'On your Marx' - Check NYP's 'Red Apple' cover on Mamdani win Mamdani's direct challenge to Trump

Addressing thousands of his supporters after victory, Mamdani said that "New York will remain a city of immigrants – a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant."

“So hear me, President Trump, when I say this: To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us. When we enter City Hall in 58 days, expectations will be high. We will meet them. A great New Yorker once said that while you campaign in poetry, you govern in prose,” said the Democrat.

MENAFN05112025007365015876ID1110299949