Mamdani thanks New York for historic win, says 'Now let's get to work'

Newly elected New York mayor Zohran Mamdani.

After scripting history by becoming the first Muslim and South Asian and the youngest person in over 100 years to lead America's largest city, mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani extended his gratitude to New Yorkers for voting for him and said "Now let's get to work".

In his first post on X after the election results were announced, Mamdani shared a video message and wrote, "Thank you, New York City. Together we made history. Now let's get to work."

Thank you, New York City. Together we made history.

Now let’s get to work. https://t.co/G7F2sbda74 pic.twitter.com/GQABMqJHgn

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) November 5, 2025

In his message, Mamdani outlined outlined his next steps, pledging to begin building a City Hall team capable of translating his campaign vision into governance. "These appointments will be driven by excellence, integrity and a hunger to solve old problems with new solutions," he said, hinting at upcoming announcements for deputy mayors and commissioners.

He also said that just like his campaign, everything will be "defined by transparency".

His victory capped a night of major gains for Democrats nationwide, including two crucial governor's races, marking both a morale boost for the party and a potential warning shot for Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Mamdani triumphed over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after a string of scandals, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani secured over 50 per cent of the vote, while Cuomo finished with just above 40 per cent and Sliwa trailed at 7 per cent.

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani promised bold reforms centred on working-class New Yorkers. He proposed initiatives such as free childcare, rent freezes, free bus transit, and government-run grocery stores aimed at tackling the city's affordability crisis.

Despite facing relentless criticism over his socialist ideals and Muslim identity from conservative media, business lobbies, and even Trump himself, Mamdani's grassroots movement prevailed. In a powerful message to supporters, he declared, "If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him."

He continued, "In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light."