Zohran Mamdani was elected the next mayor of New York City this week and Guardian readers had many feelings to share about the news.
Winning with more than 50% of the vote, the 34-year-old democratic social socialist and state member who defeated Rey Governor Cuomo and the Republican candidate Curtis Sliomo.
Following his victory, the Guardian invited readers to share their reactions and hundreds responded from New York City, across the United States and beyond to share their optimism, joy and more.
Manhattan Resident Keith Alan Watts said “New York felt good again” when the results came in:
“For many years, New Yorkers have lived with a kind of quiet fatigue,” he said, as “rents go up, wages are desired and hope to feel something nostalgic”. However, Watts added, “When Mamdani took the stage, there was a broken open, his words were not polished for the powers that be”.
Margaret Kogan, an 81-year-old retired social worker in New York, said she felt that all workers were “all called to the democratic Party”.
Dylan, a 32-year-old high school history teacher in New York, said they didn’t vote in the Primary “because I’m a person who is useless for our useless avenue for positive change”.
But Mamdani’s campaign “and the enthusiasm of his supporters made me want to rejoin politics”, Dylan said.
Excitement and excitement also lurked beyond New York City. Across the US, respondents described Mamdani’s victory as a “breath of fresh air”.
In Utah, Scott Riching, 74, said he wanted to see a “bright young man take on the oligarchy and trump in such a fearless, refreshing way”.
“While I know he won’t accomplish everything he’s promised, I hope he can do something about the transportation system and the taxation of the rich,” Aregana said. “Hopefully this will challenge other candidates across the country who represent the people they represent (for a change)!”
In Vermont, Maeve Kim, who said she was in her 80s, felt “very excited”.
“I’ve been a Democrat all my life but have been in turmoil and anger for years now, looking at the Party without new ideas,” he said.
“I hope that Mamdani’s victory can shake some Democrats into action. Change
Cefheus Schanchan, 54, of Tennessee, wrote: “I cried my eyes out when I woke up and read this!” Adding that this is “the first time I’ve had good news about America in a long time”.
In Michigan, Devon, a 32-year-old Web Developer, said that Mamdani’s landslide victory gave them “resistance to the government that is restricting his policies”.
If that happens, Devon said: “I hope voters see it for what it is and don’t despair of unpolished politics.”
Some respondents shared that while they are optimistic and excited about Mamdani’s victory, they are also worried about some of the challenges ahead. Some expressed concern for Mamdani’s safety, while others feared he would face fierce opposition from state and federal lawmakers and from the Trump administration.
“There’s a lot riding on him,” one person who asked to remain anonymous said. “If he fails, it will motivate him properly.”
Bruce Welks, 71, of Florida, called Mamdani a “Important Turn for NYC and the Trump Administration, which he believes is his fight in adhill, to face his mayoral residence”.
However, he believes that Mamdani “will prove qualified to meet the occasion”.
The excitement of Mamdani’s victory also came from some readers abroad.
Someone writing from Yorkshire, UK, called it a “jolly good result” and someone writing from France described Mamdani as “a breath of fresh air”.
In the Netherlands, a 20-year-old student, Maks Burchard, said they hoped Mamdani’s victory would “encourage more politicians to bring a message of hope”.
Robert, 41, in Norway said that he hopes that the left parties in Europe that did not learn from the Mamdani campaign, from speaking to citizens, to use different platforms “.
But not every respondent is celebrating. A small parting doubt about Mamdani’s experience and policies.
One New Yorker said they felt “terrible” about the election, calling Mamdani’s plans “unrealistic” and worrying about what I believe and I worry about what will happen next.
Another new yorker, Kathleen Carroll, who lives in the Bronx, wrote: “NYC has survived other inexperienced mayors, and will do so again.”
A resident of Michigan who voted for one also said that they were worried that “American voters are supporting candidates who don’t pay”, and planned that they “don’t plan to go to NYC ever”.
Still, for many who wrote, Mamdani’s victory Tuesday represented something much bigger in New York City politics.
“If the voice of the people can be heard in New York City then we can attract hope and the same in other communities,” Kimberly Michael, 33, of Upstate New York, wrote.
“I am inspired that better things are possible and necessary: we must come together to make them happen.”