NEW YORK, 1 January 2026 – Zohran Mamdani took office as mayor of New York City in the first minutes of the New Year at the historic Old City Hall subway station, with his wife Rama Duwaji at his side. The oath was administered by New York State Attorney General Letitia James.
Mamdani, 34, a former state lawmaker and democratic socialist, won the December election with 50 percent of the vote, defeating independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. His campaign focused on rent freezes, free buses, and childcare, appealing to the city’s 8 million residents and inspiring a record turnout of over two million voters.
The decommissioned subway site was chosen to signal Mamdani’s connection to the city’s working population. Plans for the public inauguration include a ceremony at City Hall’s steps for 4,000 guests and livestreamed events for tens of thousands along Broadway. 
Born in Uganda, Mamdani will be New York’s first Muslim mayor. Progressive allies including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are expected to attend the public ceremony. Mamdani has already drawn attention for promoting resource and social policies that some view as a test case for the Democratic Party nationwide.
Following the inauguration, Mamdani will move from his Astoria apartment to Gracie Mansion, the official mayoral residence, while his administration navigates relationships with city financiers and local communities.
