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.

Mamdani is a self-described democratic socialist and 34-year-old state assemblymember who will be the city’s youngest mayor in over a century. He entered the general election as the favorite following a 12-point victory in the ranked choice Democratic primary earlier this year.

Mamdani’s digitally savvy campaign, which was laser-focused on cost-of-living issues, electrified New Yorkers. He drew scorn from critics including Trump.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill is elected governor of New Jersey: Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by Trump. The race was closely watched as a potential bellwether for the 2026 midterms

She will succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, marking the first time since 1961 that one party has won three consecutive terms in the New Jersey governor’s mansion.

Sherrill, a Navy veteran who represented a northern New Jersey district in the U.S. House for four terms, will be the state’s second female governor.

Gov.-elect Spanberger says many more women will lead the state after her victory: Virginia’s governor-elect is embracing her place in history as she is set to be sworn in as the commonwealth’s first woman chief executive.

With her husband and three daughters standing behind her onstage, Spanberger told supporters at her victory speech, “It’s a big deal that the girls and young women I have met along the campaign trail now know this certainty that they can achieve anything.”

She also talked about women who came before her forging a path and the belief that change and progress were possible.

Spanberger mentioned specifically former state Attorney General Mary Sue Terry, who was the first women elected to statewide office in Virginia in the 1980s.

Mary Sheffield wins race for Detroit mayor: The Detroit City Council president defeated Solomon Kinloch Jr. to become the first woman elected to lead the city.

Sheffield received more than 50% of the vote in August’s all-party municipal primary. The office is officially nonpartisan. Sheffield will succeed three-term incumbent Mike Duggan, who did not seek reelection.

New York City voters were worried about the cost of living and housing: Most voters in New York City were stressed about the cost of living — and in particular, the cost of housing, according to the AP Voter Poll.

About 6 in 10 New York City voters said the cost of living was the most important issue facing their city. About one-quarter said crime was the main problem, and about 1 in 10 said this about immigration. Less than 1 in 10 pointed to health care or transportation.

About 7 in 10 voters said the cost of housing where they live was “a major problem,” with renters being especially likely to point to this as an issue. Fewer voters called crime “a major problem” in the city.

Hashmi is the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the US: State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, of Richmond, defeated Republican talk-radio host John Reid. She will succeed Earle-Sears.

Hashmi is a former college professor who won the nomination after prevailing in a crowded June Democratic primary.

As lieutenant governor, Hashmi will preside over a closely-divided Virginia state Senate, where Democrats currently hold a slim 21-19 seat advantage. The lieutenant governor votes when there’s a tie in the Senate. Hashmi’s victory also means her Senate seat will have to be filled in a special election.

Democrat Corey O’Connor wins election for mayor of Pittsburgh: The Allegheny County controller defeated Republican nominee Tony Moreno.

O’Connor defeated incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey in the Democratic primary earlier this year. He is the son of former Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor.

Andre Dickens wins reelection as Atlanta mayor: The Atlanta mayor’s office is officially nonpartisan but has been held by Democrats for decades. Dickens won the office outright with more than 50% of the vote, defeating three challengers.