NEW YORK: Zohran Mamdani, 34, a democratic socialist, won the New York City mayoral race Tuesday (local time), marking his meteoric rise from a little-known state lawmaker to one of the Democratic Party’s most visible figures.

Mamdani will become the first Muslim mayor of the largest U.S. city, defeating former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, who ran as an independent after losing the primary nomination.

The race underscored ideological and generational divisions within the Democratic Party, with potential national implications.

In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the governorship, becoming the first woman elected to the office, while Democrat Mikie Sherrill captured the governor’s seat in New Jersey.

These victories offered the Democratic Party a test of campaign strategies ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, when control of Congress will be at stake.

All three candidates focused on economic issues, especially affordability. Spanberger and Sherrill represent the party’s moderate wing, while Mamdani ran as a progressive advocating generational change.

Trump’s policies loomed over the races, particularly his immigration stance, tariffs, and the federal government shutdown, which affected Virginia and New Jersey voters. Juan Benitez, a 25-year-old first-time voter in Virginia, said he supported all Democratic candidates due to opposition to Trump’s actions.

High voter turnout was reported, with over 2 million ballots cast in New York City—the largest since 1969—and early voting in Virginia and New Jersey surpassing previous levels.

Mamdani has proposed ambitious progressive policies, including freezing rents for nearly a million apartments and making city buses free.

While these elections provide insight into voter sentiment, analysts note that outcomes may not predict results in 2026 congressional and Senate races.

For Republicans, the contests tested whether Trump’s 2024 voter base remains engaged. Trump remains unpopular, with 57% of Americans disapproving of his job performance, though Democrats are not yet gaining a clear advantage, with voters evenly split for 2026.