What does Zohran Mamdani’s victory mean for New York?

Sander’s views Mamdani as both a beacon of hope and a crucial reminder of the instability of America’s future.

‘The Democratic party is at a crossroads’, he wrote for The Guardian this week.

‘It can continue to depend upon billionaire donors and out-of-touch campaign consultants and spend huge amounts of money on dumb 30-second ads that fewer and fewer people respond to.’

‘It can ignore the tragic reality that millions of Americans are giving up on democracy because they don’t see their government understanding their struggles and the realities of their lives or doing anything about it. Or it can learn the lesson that the Zohran Mamdani campaign taught us on Tuesday.’

‘And that is: Have the courage to address the real economic and moral issues that face the majority of our people, take on the green and power of the oligarchy and fight for an agenda that can improve life for working families.’

Some may feel apprehensive that such a change in perspective is possible. But for the New Yorkers who cast their vote for Mambani, hope is tangible.

In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done.

My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it.

I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City. pic.twitter.com/AgW0Z30xw1

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) June 25, 2025

‘I was blown away by his personable skills with the way he talks to people and the way he can relate to just the average person,’ said Harris Krizmanich, 30.

‘The way he humanises the voters that felt very frustrated with the way things were going, it was really inspiring.’

Perhaps this is the secret sauce in Mamdani’s success. Kamala Harris failed to reach Trump’s America, falling into the trap of polarisation and alienating his voters. Mamdani’s focus on authenticity and human connection is unique to politics and entirely alien to Trump’s America.

But the results of these Primaries send the message that this change is welcome.

At a recent event, Mamdani told the BBC that ‘there’s a lot of understandable despair and disappointment with so-called leaders within our own party who have shown themselves unable or unwilling to fight Donald Trump’. He included Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams on that list.

‘We need a mayor who can look authoritarianism in the eye and not see a reflection of themselves.’

‘Voters want you to believe that you’re going to fight for them,’ said Stephanie Taylor, of Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

He may not be done fighting in his race for New York City Mayor. But Zohran Mamdani is certainly poised for battle.