Democrat Zohran Mamdani is elected New York City mayor

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has become first Muslim mayor of New York City. AP Photo_11zon

WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (AP/UNB)-Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has become the city’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest in generations. The 34-year-old state lawmaker harnessed enthusiasm and social media savvy to become a rising star in the party, but his candidacy sparked an ideological divide.

He defeated independent candidate and former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who attempted a political comeback four years after resigning in scandal.

President Donald Trump, who has long inserted himself in the politics of his hometown, followed the race closely. The president frequently dismissed Mamdani by falsely labeling him as a communist and said he would withhold funds from the city if he wins. He endorsed Cuomo on the eve of the election, bypassing Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

The scene at Cuomo’s watch party

The crowd at Cuomo’s party has thinned somewhat as some guests head out. For everyone else, the red wine is flowing, and Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” is playing.

At Mamdani’s watch party: ‘Not Like Us’

In the middle of the ballroom, Joanne Grill, a 62-year-old co-chair of the New York State Tenant Block, joined a group dancing in a circle to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”

“We beat the millionaires and billionaires — little old us, people, tenants, real working-class New Yorkers are taking this city back,” Grill said.

Manhattan prosecutor who took on Trump wins reelection

Democrat Alvin Bragg has defeated Republican Maud Maron and independent Diana Florence in the Manhattan district attorney’s race.

The Manhattan DA’s office is one of the United States’ biggest and best known local prosecutors’ agencies, featured in TV’s “Law & Order” and other entertainment.

The spotlight grew stronger when Bragg oversaw the hush-money prosecution that led to Trump’s historic conviction.

The Republican president denied wrongdoing, called the case a “scam” and a “hoax” and slammed Bragg for bringing it. Trump is appealing the verdict.

Bragg’s reelection run emphasized his efforts to fight gun violence, prosecute hate crimes and improve mental health services, among other priorities.

His campaign website makes little mention of Trump, and Bragg said nothing about him during an October televised debate that focused on violent crime and other local and statewide issues.

Bragg argued that his office helped drive down murders and shootings. His opponents contended that he hasn’t been tough enough on crime.

Sliwa concedes New York mayoral race, issues warning in fiery speech

The Republican candidate wished Mamdani well as New York’s new mayor but warned he will mobilize his supporters if the democratic socialist attempts to “implement socialism” and “render our police weak and impotent.’

“We’re not only organizing, but we are mobilizing and we will become the mayor-elect and his supporters’ worst enemies,” said Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, the citizen safety patrol group he started 1979.

Sliwa also told a cheering crowd that “some of the most powerful people in the world” mobilized against his candidacy. Trump urged Sliwa voters to support Cuomo to help prevent a Mamdani victory.

The scene from Mamdani’s watch party

Mamdani supporters cheered and embraced, some tearfully, in response to the race call as Bad Bunny played from the speakers. Campaign posters flew through the air as one person hoisted the official flag of New York City.