Overview
- Zachran Mamdani, 34, won the New York City mayor’s race, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor and one of its youngest modern leaders.
- Democrats also prevailed in governor contests in Virginia, where Abigail Spanberger will succeed Republican Glenn Youngkin, and in New Jersey with Mikie Sherrill defeating Jack Ciattarelli.
- Democrats strengthened their position in California, with Gazala Hashmi set to become the state’s first Muslim woman elected governor, according to Radio Svoboda.
- New York saw unusually heavy participation, including more than 735,000 early votes, which The New York Times reported was over four times the 2021 early total.
- Mamdani vowed to challenge President Trump politically as he prepares for a Jan. 1, 2026 inauguration, while Trump attacked Jewish supporters of Mamdani, threatened to cut New York’s federal funding, and aides later pointed to a lack of focus on domestic costs and the protracted shutdown as factors in GOP losses.