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Democrat Zohran Mamdani issues direct challenge to Trump as he sweeps to New York mayoral victory

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Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race as Democrats sweep the first major elections of Donald Trump’s second term – how the night unfolded at a glance
Mamdani, 34, becomes New York City’s first Muslim mayor and youngest person in over a century to lead the largest city in the US – we cover his key policies here
“In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light,” Mamdani says in a victory speech where he outlines his policies and addresses Trump directly
Trump, who had threatened to cut NYC’s federal funding if Mamdani won over independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, writes on social media: “And so it begins”
Mamdani has sealed a remarkable victory, but real challenges lie ahead and his successes – and failures – will be closely scrutinised, writes Anthony Zurcher
Meanwhile, Democrats are projected to win governor races in Virginia and New Jersey
Californians vote to redraw the state’s congressional districts to favour the Democratic Party ahead of elections next year

New Yorkers celebrate new mayor

There were scenes of celebration in New York overnight with people cheering, clapping and chanting: “Zohran, Zohran, Zohran!”

One man tells Reuters news agency he has been in New York for 13 years, and this is the first mayor he is excited to see run the city.

Mamdani’s clear campaign messages resonated with him. “I loved his points tonight; I loved that he really stayed on three of them,” he says.

“We’re going to make the city affordable, we’re going to have free buses, we’re going to have free childcare.”

A woman of around Mamdani’s age adds that it’s “refreshing” to have a younger mayor, and someone prepared to “stand up to the system and the president”.

Another man says: “As an Albanian-American born in this country as a Muslim, it’s satisfying to see someone my age with the same beliefs as me – who wants to make a more affordable NYC.”

Mamdani v Trump: What they’ve said about each other

Trump on Mamdani:

  • Endorsing independent Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race, Trump urged voters not to vote for Mamdani
  • During the campaign, Trump referred to Mamdani as a “communist” – a label the mayor-elect rejects – and threatened to cut federal funding to the city should he win
  • During Mamdani’s victory speech last night, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “…AND SO IT BEGINS!”

Mamdani on Trump:

  • Ahead of last night’s results, Mamdani called Cuomo a puppet and parrot of Trump who would be a “mirror image” of his presidency in City Hall
  • The mayor-elect directly addressed Trump in his victory speech, demanding him to “turn the volume up”
  • In the speech, he described landlords and “tax-evading billionaires” as “the Donald Trumps of our city”

The key things to know

It’s the morning after the (election) night before on America’s east coast, where the Democrats have swept the first major elections of Donald Trump’s second term.

Catching up on all the action? Here’s what you need to know:

  • In New York City, Zohran Mamdani has won the mayoral race, becoming the first Muslim mayor and youngest person in over a century to lead the finance capital of the US. He’ll take office on New Year’s Day
  • In his victory speech, Mamdani challenged Trump with four words: “Turn the volume up”
  • Mamdani has sealed a remarkable victory, but his successes – and failures – will be closely scrutinised, writes Anthony Zurcher
  • Over in Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger has won the race for governor – the first woman in the job. Her fellow Democrat, Mikie Sherrill, has also won the governor race in New Jersey. They’ll both take office in mid-January
  • It’s also been a night of celebration for the Democrats on the west coast. In California, voters approved a measure to redraw political lines to favour Democrats. We’ve broken down what that means

Stay with us for further updates, reaction and analysis from our teams in London, New York and around the world. (BBC.Com)