Democrat Zohran Mamdani – who described himself as “Trump’s worst nightmare” – is set to become New York’s next mayor, Sky’s US partner network NBC News projects.

The projected win – with 60.2% of votes counted – comes after one of the most colourful races in years and looks set to have a profound effect on US national politics.

Mr Mamdani will be the first Muslim, first South Asian, and youngest person in a century to be elected as New York City mayor.

Image:
Pic: AP

Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hugs a Zohran Mamdani supporter at a watch party. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hugs a Zohran Mamdani supporter at a watch party. Pic: Reuters

More than two million people voted in this year’s general election, according to the New York Board of Elections. In 2021, the turnout was just under 1.15 million.

The first reaction from the Democrat came on social media while votes were still being counted, where Mr Mamdani posted a video of a subway coming to a stop as a tannoy says: “The next and last stop is: City Hall.”

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After the current Democratic mayor, Eric Adams, announced he would run as an independent after a corruption scandal, Andrew Cuomo emerged as frontrunner to take the party’s nomination.

He was looking to rebuild his career after resigning as governor of New York State in 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment.

But in a major upset, relative outsider Mr Mamdani took the nomination instead, and became the favourite for mayor. Cuomo then chose to run as an independent.

Read more:
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Will Mamdani inspire Democrats’ strategy?

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Who is Zohran Mamdani?

On the eve of the election, Mr Trump said Mr Mamdani – who is known for left-wing policies and campaigning on issues like affordable housing – would bring “disaster” to the city.

He encouraged backers of Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate who trailed in polling, to transfer their votes to Mr Cuomo instead.

Pic: NDZ / STAR MAX / IPx / AP
Image:
Pic: NDZ / STAR MAX / IPx / AP

New York’s mayoral race was one of four elections on Tuesday serving as a bellwether referendum on Mr Trump’s second term as president.

Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill won their races to become state governors in Virginia and New Jersey, respectively.

The US president’s first reaction to the Democratic wins across the country came on Truth Social.

He repeated claims from “pollsters” that said the US government shutdown, and the fact he “wasn’t on the ballot”, were the two reasons Republicans lost.

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