Zohran Mamdani speaks during a victory speech at a mayoral election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in New York.

Zohran Mamdani has made waves across the pond this morning after winning the New York mayoral election last night.

The Democratic mayor-elect told his supporters: “We won because New Yorkers allowed themselves to hope that the impossible could be made possible.”

Set to be sworn in on New Year’s Day for a four-year term, Mamdani was one of four Democrats who swept to victory last night in American mayoral races – but his election is likely to have the greatest impact.

Although his victory does not reflect nationwide views, the progressive figure’s win is likely to reverberate across American politics, especially as it comes at a time when Donald Trump’s right-wing administration dominates.

Mamdani’s success is already the talk of the town here in the UK, too.

Here’s what you need to know about his sudden rise.

Who is Zohran Mamdani?

A self-proclaimed socialist, Mamdani ran on progressive policy plans and a promise to make one of the most expensive cities in the world more affordable.

The former housing counsellor, rapper – once known as Young Cardamom – and campaign manager was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020.

But he experienced a stratospheric rise when he announced his plans to run as New York mayor in 2024.

He promised to hike up taxes on the rich to fund his plans, with city-owned grocery shops, frozen rent on some housing and an end to bus fares in his election campaign.

He’s also known to be a prominent critic of Israel, although he has rejected any claims of anti-semitism.

He once called to defund the police, but has since confirmed he has no intention of doing so.

He will be New York’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor while also being the youngest person to hold office in the city for a century at just 34.

In August, he referred to himself as

© HuffPost