This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a supporter presenting a poster of Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani during the New York City mayoral election in New York City, the United States, Nov. 4, 2025. Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election Tuesday night, becoming the first muslim mayor of the most populous city in the United States. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

NEW YORK, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election Tuesday night, becoming the first muslim mayor of the most populous city in the United States.

By 00:30 a.m. East Time (0530 GMT) Wednesday, Mamdani had seized around 50.4 percent of the votes, while former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, had collected 41.4 percent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa had garnered only 7.1 percent, according to the preliminary results issued by the Board of Elections in the City of New York.

Mamdani, born in Uganda, is currently a member of the New York State Assembly and is set to take office on Jan. 1, 2026.

"We're in City Hall now. This victory is for all of you," Mamdani told a jubilant crowd in Brooklyn. "In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light."

In his victory speech, Mamdani acknowledged that he is young, Muslim and a democratic socialist. "I refuse to apologize for any of this," he said.

The 34-year-old mayor-elect ran a campaign focused on making New York City more affordable, energizing tens of thousands of young voters in the process.

His campaign platform includes freezing rents for all stabilized tenants, providing free buses and childcare, increasing publicly subsidized housing, and raising taxes on the wealthiest and corporations.

In June, Mamdani stunned the nation by defeating Cuomo, a three-term governor, in the Democratic primary, generating national buzz.

On the eve of Election Day, U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Cuomo and threatened to withhold federal funds to New York City if Mamdani wins.

In his fiery speech, Mamdani warned that the city will stand united against Trump.

"If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him. And if there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power," Mamdani told his supporters.

"So Donald Trump," he added, "since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up."

The race is one of New York City's most closely watched elections in recent years. According to election officials, early voting, which wrapped up Sunday, saw a record turnout of more than 735,000 voters across the city. ■

Supporters celebrate after Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani winning the New York City mayoral election in New York City, the United States, Nov. 4, 2025. Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election Tuesday night, becoming the first muslim mayor of the most populous city in the United States. (Photo by Zack Zhang/Xinhua)

Supporters celebrate after Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani winning the New York City mayoral election in New York City, the United States, Nov. 4, 2025. Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election Tuesday night, becoming the first muslim mayor of the most populous city in the United States. (Photo by Zack Zhang/Xinhua)

People walk past a campaign advertisement for former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, during the New York City mayoral election in New York City, the United States, Nov. 4, 2025. Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election Tuesday night, becoming the first muslim mayor of the most populous city in the United States. (Photo by Zack Zhang/Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a supporter with posters of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, during the New York City mayoral election in New York City, the United States, Nov. 4, 2025. Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election Tuesday night, becoming the first muslim mayor of the most populous city in the United States. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows supporters standing outside a polling station holding posters of Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani during the New York City mayoral election in New York City, the United States, Nov. 4, 2025. Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election Tuesday night, becoming the first muslim mayor of the most populous city in the United States. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)