On the first day of the new year, New York is ushering in a new era for a country in distress.
Zohran Mamdani, who will be the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, and the youngest one since 1892, is taking on his new role at a time when many people – in New York and beyond – have been looking for a new kind of politics.
As expected, his inauguration was filled with symbolism of a new chapter. For the site of his oath, shortly after the stoke of midnight and the famous ball drop, he chose the Old City Hall subway stop, which his transition team said was to show his commitment to the people who keep the city running.
“How do we make this city an example for the world in ways to get around efficiently and reliably?” said Mamdani, speaking Tuesday at a lectern with the words “A new era for New York City” written on it in a conference room at New York’s Elmhurst Hospital.
In one of his last public appearances before inauguration day, he held a press conference and introduced new appointees, including Ramzi Qassem from City University of New York, who will serve as Mamdani’s chief counsel.
In his speech, Qassem described New York as the first stable place he called home, after having spent his early life in conflict zones.
It was one of the few times Mamdani had spent a public appearance largely stepping aside to let others speak, a sign of his transition from an upstart phenomenon to the leader of America’s largest city, bringing in a team of specialists.
The 34-year-old now-former state lawmaker, who started out polling at one percent, steadily built his grassroots campaign through volunteers, word of mouth, savvy social media engagement, and a willingness to have face-to-face conversations with ordinary New Yorkers, many of whom did not align with him politically and had become disenchanted with politics.
Based on these personal interactions, Mamdani campaigned on affordability – in one of the world’s least affordable cities. He was determined to focus on New York, even if it meant risking controversy and speaking out against the decades-long tradition of New York mayors visiting and paying tribute to Israel.
When asked in a mayoral debate where he’d visit when elected, following a uniform response of "Israel" from his opponents, he firmly said that he would stay in New York and take care of his constituents.
Even though this was a citywide race in which the elected mayor would not be setting foreign policy, a public recognition of Israel’s importance is almost a given.
Mamdani took a different route in his campaign. Not only did he not express loyalty to Israel, but he engaged with people who were sceptical of this position, including politicians and faith leaders.
He eventually won the endorsement of New York Governor Kathy Hochul as well as a reluctant nod from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a key supporter of Israel.
After the election, his charm offensive at a White House meeting with President Donald Trump, who had previously disparaged him, showed that he could hold his own in hostile conditions.
One of his other harshest critics, billionaire financier Bill Ackman, publicly offered to help him following his victory.
Earlier this month, Mamdani held a meeting with Ammiel Hirsch, a rabbi and an outspoken supporter of Israel, who said he left the meeting feeling encouraged, according to a report by Jewish Insider.
The Mamdani effect, as it’s being called, is seeing progressives jump into longshot races with similar campaign messaging of affordability and stronger public services.
Zack Polanski of the UK’s Green Party reached out to Mamdani shortly after his election victory seeking advice, showing Mamdani is resonating far beyond New York.