New York, 5 November 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Left-leaning Democrat Zohran Mamdani has won the race for mayor of New York City, according to projections by US broadcasters late on Tuesday.

With more than 97% of votes counted, the 34-year-old held an unbeatable lead, several US broadcasters reported, citing figures from the New York City Board of Elections.

Unofficial results on the board's website showed Mamdani at 50.4%, former Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo at 41.6% and Republican Curtis Sliwa at 7.1%, with less than 3% of votes left to count.

If the result is confirmed, Mamdani would become the first Muslim mayor of New York City - and one of the most prominent elected opponents of US President Donald Trump.

Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has centred his campaign on tackling New York's soaring cost of living, promising rent controls alongside free buses and childcare, funded by higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations.

Beyond being a cultural and economic powerhouse, New York City carries significant political weight, with a population of roughly 8 million.

Trump-backed Cuomo concedes defeat

According to the projections, Mamdani defeated Cuomo by around nine percentage points. Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to the 34-year-old, conceded defeat on Tuesday night.

More than 2 million New Yorkers cast ballots - the highest turnout in a mayoral election since 1969, according to election officials.

Current New York Mayor Eric Adams, an ex-Democrat who has been in office since 2022, withdrew his bid for another term following a corruption scandal and other issues.

Rent controls, free buses, free childcare

Mamdani's victory challenges established power structures in US politics. The 34-year-old - who moved to the East Coast metropolis from Uganda with his family aged 7 - represents a clear break from the Democratic party's traditional centrist line and has become a political target for Trump and the Republicans.

His campaign relied heavily on small-dollar donations - a deliberate signal against the influence of major donors, which Mamdani criticizes in both parties. He drew strong support from young voters, labour unions and communities with migrant backgrounds.

Observers expect Mamdani's win to fuel an internal debate among Democrats: Between those who want to shift the party sharply to the left to confront Trump and those advocating a more moderate course.

Mamdani's political allies, including Senator Bernie Sanders and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, say the outcome proves that left-wing policies can win majority support in the United States.

Photo: dpa