President Donald Trump says Americans have a choice of "communism or common sense" after Democrat Zohran Mamdani wins the New York mayoral election
Mamdani says he will stand up for New York against President Trump, and describes the start of a "new era" during his first press conference since winning the mayoral race
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
Democrats are projected to win governor races in Virginia and New Jersey - here's how the night unfolded at a glance
Mamdani has sealed a remarkable victory, but real challenges lie ahead and his successes - and failures - will be closely scrutinised, writes Anthony Zurcher
Meanwhile, Californians vote to redraw the state's congressional districts to favour the Democratic Party ahead of elections next year
During his victory speech, New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani had a direct message for US President Donald Trump.
"Since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up," Mamdani said.
You can watch that moment back below:
Mamdani tells Trump: 'I know you're watching, turn the volume up'
There were scenes of jubilation on the east coast of the US as mayoral and gubernatorial races were called.
Here's how the night unfolded, in pictures:
Image source, ReutersZohran Mamdani waves to supporters following his victory in New York
Image source, ReutersMamdani's supporters rejoice in New York
Image source, ReutersAbigail Spanberger celebrates with her family after winning the governor's race in Virginia
Image source, ReutersMikie Sherrill rejoices after claiming the New Jersey governor's race
Geeta Pandey
Reporting from Delhi
Image source, ReutersWhen we first heard of Zohran Mamdani in India, he was described as Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair’s son by way of introduction. Today, in a role reversal, some are describing Nair as his mother.
Mamdani’s campaign has been followed closely in India and his victory has made headlines here because of his Indian roots. And on Wednesday morning, these roots were on full display.
His victory speech invoked independent India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s historic “Tryst with Destiny” speech. And he walked off the stage at the end as the popular Bollywood tune Dhoom Machale played in the background.
The song translates to “let’s make some noise” – apt for a campaign that reverberated through the US political scene, won him New York and is echoing across India.
Zohran Mamdani's supporters are describing his victory as historic - and that description is borne out in the results.
With 91% of votes counted, the BBC's US partner, CBS News, projected that Mamdani secured 50.4% of the vote, to independent Andrew Cuomo's 41.6% and Republican Curtis Sliwa's 7%.
Mamdani won more than one million votes. He's the first candidate to do so since 1969.
In all, more than two million New Yorkers cast their ballots, almost double that of the last election four years ago.
Image source, ReutersThrust into the spotlight alongside New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is his wife, Rama Duwaji.
Duwaji, a 28-year-old artist and animator, is a New York-based artist with Syrian roots, whose work often explores Middle Eastern themes and issues.
"Rama isn't just my wife; she's an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms," Mamdani wrote in a post on 12 May, announcing they had been married three months earlier.
The couple met on dating app Hinge, "so there is still hope in those dating apps," Mamdani - then a candidate - said in an interview in June.
In his victory speech overnight, Mamdani said: "To my incredible wife, Rama - hayati [Arabic: my life] - there is no one I would rather have by my side in this moment and in every moment."
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
Image source, ReutersZohran Mamdani's campaign generated voluminous media attention, perhaps more than a municipal election - even one for America's largest city - deserves.
It also means that, as mayor, his successes - and failures - will be closely scrutinised.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat, has already said she opposed raising the kind of taxes necessary to fund Mamdani's ambitious agenda.
And even with sufficient funding, Mamdani would not be able to implement programmes unilaterally.
He campaigned as a sharp critic of the corporate and business elite that call New York City their home, and have made Manhattan the financial capital of the world. To effectively govern, he will probably have to make some form of peace with those interests, however - a process he has already begun in recent weeks.
He has also condemned Israel's conduct during the Gaza war and pledged to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal if he sets foot in New York City, a promise that could be tested at some point during his term.
All those are problems for a later date, however. For now, Mamdani will need to set about the task of defining himself on the public stage - before his opponents do.
Just catching up? Here's a quick digest of everything you need to know from election night:
New York:
Elsewhere in the US:
Stay with us for further updates, analysis and reaction.
Sakshi Venkatraman
Reporting from New York
Image source, ReutersThirty-four-year-old state assemblyman and self-identified democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is the new mayor of New York.
Largely unknown before winning the the Democratic primary over the summer, supporters hail him as representing a new wave of progressive politics, whereas others, like Trump, lambast him as a "communist".
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York with his family aged seven. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and later earned a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.
Mamdani will be the city's first Muslim and South Asian mayor, and has referenced his identity as a way to build support across the diverse city, posting campaign videos of himself speaking Urdu and Spanish.
He promises affordable housing, free public buses, rent freezes and universal childcare for children under five.
"This is a city where one in four of its people are living in poverty, a city where 500,000 kids go to sleep hungry every night," he told the BBC at a recent event.
"And, ultimately, it's a city that is in danger of losing that which it makes it so special."
Watch: US election night’s big winners… in 90 seconds
High-profile Democrats have sought to frame these elections as a turning point for the party - not least former President Barack Obama.
He says the "future looks a little brighter" after the results, albeit with "plenty of work" still to do.
House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, who did not endorse Zohran Mamdani until late in the race, casts the results as a verdict on cost of living.
Writing on social media, he says: "Donald Trump and Republicans haven’t done a damn thing to lower the high cost of living. And working class Americans know it."
Meanwhile, independent senator Bernie Sanders describes Mamdani's win in New York as "one of the greatest political upsets in modern American history".
Several leading Republican voices have weighed in too, chief among them President Donald Trump.
He writes on social media that the fact "Trump wasn't on the ballot" and the ongoing government shutdown were to blame for Democratic wins.
Mike Johnson, the speaker of the House, describes Mamdani as a "true extremist and Marxist".
"[His] election cements the Democrat Party's transformation to a radical, big-government socialist party," he says.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has congratulated Mamdani, writing in a social media post, "New Yorkers faced a clear choice - between hope and fear - and just like we've seen in London - hope won. Huge congratulations to Zohran Mamdani on his historic campaign."
Like Mamdani, Khan was the first Muslim mayor in his city's history when he was elected in 2016.
1. Delivering on his promises
Mamdani has promised universal childcare, freezing rent in subsidised units, free public buses and city-run grocery stores. He says it will be paid for by new taxes on millionaires and corporations that will raise $9bn. But some experts have questioned that confidence. And he will need the backing of New York state politicians, which could be an uphill task.
2. Taking incoming fire from Republicans
In his victory speech, Mamdani challenged Trump to "turn up the volume", but it remains to be seen how a politician with no executive experience will handle the onslaught that's sure to come. The US president has already threatened to pull federal funding and House Speaker Mike Johnson wasted no time in attacking him, moments after Mamdani's victory was confirmed.
3. Working with the Democratic leadership
The party establishment was slow, even reluctant, to back Mamdani, despite his ability to win over voters who had drifted towards Trump in the 2024 election. It's a win that will be celebrated wildly among those on the left of the party, but he may not be as warmly embraced by party moderates.
Nada Tawfik
Reporting from New York
Zohran Mamdani in his victory speech told New Yorkers, “we will fight for you because we are you”.
The key to his success was his ability to get normally cynical New Yorkers to believe that he was genuinely invested in fixing their problems.
And tonight, those New Yorkers were exhilarated by his commitments of what’s to come.
He’s promised change, hope, a new era of leadership. His speech, like his campaign, spoke to the diversity of this city with pride and a pledge to unite, rather than divide those who live here.
But he also came out swinging, even antagonising President Trump at one point.
The crowd went wild when he spoke directly to Donald Trump and told him to turn up the volume because he knew he was watching.
Everyone across the nation is watching New York right now and how this all plays out.
After getting calls about polls being closed in Kentucky, Secretary of State Michael Adams just took to X to explain why.
"They are closed because we do not have elections today," Adams writes, external.
"Kentucky votes next year. You cannot vote today in Kentucky for the mayor of New York City or the Governor of Virginia. Sorry."
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat, has already said she opposed raising the kind of taxes necessary to fund Mamdani's ambitious agenda.
And even with sufficient funding, Mamdani would not be able to implement programmes unilaterally.
He campaigned as a sharp critic of the corporate and business elite that call New York City their home, and who have made Manhattan the financial capital of the world. To govern effectively, he will probably have to make some form of peace with those interests, however - a process he has already begun in recent weeks.
He has also condemned Israel's conduct during the Gaza war and pledged to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal if he sets foot in New York City, a promise that could be tested at some point during his term.
All those are problems for a later date, however. For now, Mamdani will need to set about the task of defining himself on the public stage - before his opponents do.
While his campaign has generated national attention, he is still a blank slate for much of America.
'It's restored my faith' - Mamdani supporters react to election victory
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from Brooklyn
Watch: Zohran Mamdani gives victory speech after winning NYC election
For the past decade, speeches from many major Democrats focused on one subject: Donald Trump.
Opposition to Trump defined every Democratic presidential candidate of the decade, from Hillary Clinton to Joe Biden to Kamala Harris.
Their speeches revolved around warnings about his character, policy, and what they viewed as his threat to US democracy.
Voters rejected that approach in 2024, and the Democrats have been casting about for a coherent pitch ever since. Mamdani’s speech tonight took a different approach.
Yes, he invoked Trump, who has called him a "communist" and has been posting frequently on Truth Social tonight.
But much of Mamdani’s speech was devoted to the classic chequebook issues and a vision of the city that was affordable and accessible for a diverse mix of New Yorkers.
He repeated the policies that propelled him to victory - a price freeze for rent-stabilised apartments, fast and free buses - and the working-class individuals he hoped to help.
It’s a strategy that progressives have called for repeatedly since Trump retook the White House.
"In this moment of political darkness," Mamdani said, "New York will be the light."
Image source, ReutersCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom is now speaking after Prop 50 was passed. It's a measure to redraw the state's US House district maps in a rare mid-decade redistricting, as Democrats try to counter Republicans' efforts in states such as Texas to give their party an advantage in next year's midterm elections.
He starts by saying "what a night for the Democratic Party", and that the party is now "on its toes, not on its heels".
He speaks out repeatedly against President Donald Trump. "We stood firm in response to Donald Trump's recklessness... After poking the bear, this bear roared," Newsom says.
In this less than 30-minute long speech, Mamdani has hit on many of his campaign promises - as well as how he plans to deliver for the key voting groups that helped power his success.
He repeats his pledges for free buses, universal childcare, and tackling rising rent prices to help make the city more affordable.
He continues to drive his message of hope, telling the crowd: "In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light."
He doesn't hold back when hitting out at Trump, telling the president that the city that "gave rise to him" can defeat him.
And he pledges to stand up for all New Yorkers, including those who did not vote for him, Jewish people experiencing antisemitism and immigrants.
Kayla Epstein
Reporting from New York
Mamdani has mostly focused on his vision for the city so far, but of course, it was only a matter of time until his biggest critic came up.
“Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up.”
On command, the crowd lets out its most deafening roars yet.
Speaking directly to Trump, Mamdani says: "To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us."
As Mamdani speaks about him, Trump writes on Truth Social, "…AND SO IT BEGINS!"