On a sun-soaked Thursday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani was met with cheers and song as he strode into the annual Somos conference—a gathering that’s equal parts political strategy session, networking retreat, and post-election party for New York’s political elite. Just days after his historic victory, Mamdani, 34, stood before a beachfront crowd and promised to fight for working people, setting the stage for what is shaping up to be a transformative chapter in the city’s political life.
"I'm happy to be here at Somos, and I'm happy also to be here because ... you cannot tell the story of New York City without telling the story of Puerto Rico," Mamdani declared, moments after arriving, according to WABC. The event, held at a Hilton hotel, featured workshops on workforce development and human services, but it was Mamdani’s presence—fresh off a stunning defeat of both former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa—that electrified the scene. New York Attorney General Letitia James even led the crowd in a playful chant: "Mamdani, whoa-oh-oh-oh," riffing on the classic tune “Volare.”
Mamdani’s trip to Puerto Rico was more than a victory lap. It was a signal: the city’s new leader is intent on bridging communities and making good on campaign promises. And he’s not wasting any time. This week, Mamdani announced an all-female transition team—veteran officials tasked with guiding his move to City Hall and implementing what he calls an "ambitious affordability agenda." Already, more than 25,000 people have submitted resumes through a new job portal, eager to join what many see as a new era for New York City.
But the mayor-elect’s to-do list is daunting. Among the most pressing questions is the fate of the police commissioner role. Jessica Tisch’s future remains undecided, and former commissioner Bill Bratton didn’t mince words about the department’s challenges. "She will definitely ask for more people, the department is severely understaffed by 3,000 officers and that's one of the problems they'll have to work out if they decide to go forward together," Bratton told WABC. Meanwhile, Lena Kahn, co-chair of the transition team, is digging into the nuances of mayoral executive authority, determined to ensure Mamdani understands every lever he can pull to improve life for New Yorkers. "My focus right now is canvassing what executive authority he will possess and make sure we have the full maximum account of that so he has full understanding of levers he can use to make life better for New Yorkers," Kahn said.
The transition team has already raised more than half a million dollars since Election Night, and Mamdani has received assurances of full cooperation from outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who, notably, did not attend the San Juan summit. Mamdani returns to New York on Saturday, ready to dive headfirst into the city’s challenges.
So how did a 34-year-old democratic socialist—New York’s first Muslim mayor—pull off such a decisive win? According to ABC News, Mamdani captured 78% of voters under 30 and 66% of those aged 30 to 44, according to exit polls conducted by SSRS. Newcomers to the city, those who have lived in New York for less than a decade, backed him by a staggering 81%. Even among those who have lived in the city for over 10 years but weren’t born there, Mamdani secured 55% of the vote. Native New Yorkers, however, leaned toward Cuomo, with 49% supporting the former governor.
Political scientist Christina Greer of Fordham University told ABC News that Mamdani "awakened something" in young and new voters, convincing them they didn’t have to accept the political status quo. "This campaign, which was incredibly run, was clear and consistent that it's not just about beating someone else ... it was about an additive type of politics, where if we work together, we can collectively get more. I think that message resonated with a lot of people," Greer explained.
Jessica Siles, senior director of communications for Voters of Tomorrow, pointed to Mamdani’s focus on affordability—proposing rent freezes, universal child care, and free buses—as key to his appeal, especially for those facing the city’s notorious financial hurdles. "I think New York has some specific affordability issues that maybe aren't everywhere in the country. When you are moving to New York, there are certain financial hurdles in some ways that make things difficult. So fresh faces absolutely are looking for some relief and leadership that is able to at least have them feel like they're better equipped to navigate them," Siles told ABC News.
Cuomo’s campaign, for its part, didn’t see the results as a simple generational divide. "This needs to be a city for everyone and the fact that nearly half of New Yorkers from across the spectrum united against what the democratic nominee in an overwhelmingly democratic city campaigned on shouldn't be overlooked," said Rich Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, in a statement to ABC News. Cuomo, 67, leaned on his reputation as a moderate and his decades of experience, but ultimately, Mamdani’s message and approach carried the day, especially among first-time voters, who favored him 66% to 47%.
It wasn’t just policy that set Mamdani apart. His campaign was marked by humor, approachability, and a knack for turning even awkward moments into viral hits. The New York Times chronicled his penchant for practicing tai chi with voters, air-drumming at Knicks games, and even poking fun at billionaire Bill Ackman on a comedy podcast. "He’s spending more money against me than I would even tax him! Habibi, I don’t even want that money! You’re going above and beyond!" Mamdani quipped, drawing laughs from both hosts and listeners.
His relatability was so palpable that Saturday Night Live parodied his signature pre-smile and approachable demeanor. "Allow me to put you at ease," joked Ramy Youssef, playing Mamdani, "by smiling after every answer in a way that physically hurts my face." The real Mamdani, for his part, took the ribbing in stride, even video-chatting with Youssef after the episode aired. "I feel like I’ve been kidnapped," Mamdani joked, delighted by the skit.
But behind the jokes was a deliberate strategy. According to CNN, Mamdani’s speechwriter Julian Gerson described the mayor-elect’s victory speech as "intentionally defiant," reflecting a campaign that didn’t shy away from assertiveness or challenge. "Civility should not be automatically assumed; rather, you have to earn it yourself," Gerson said, highlighting a tone of resolve that ran through the campaign’s messaging.
Still, those close to Mamdani recognize the challenge of keeping things light once the weight of City Hall settles in. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who saw his own public persona shift from playful to serious during his tenure, hopes Mamdani doesn’t lose his trademark humor. "I think I tightened up a lot and got a lot less organically funny in my public presentation," de Blasio admitted to the New York Times.
Mamdani’s rise is a product of both substance and style. His campaign, often amplified by comedians and influencers, used humor as a powerful tool for digital communication and voter engagement. As consultant Rebecca Katz put it, "This is: ‘Who would you rather do a TikTok with?’" That blend of authenticity, wit, and ambition has made Mamdani a singular figure in city politics—and set expectations sky-high for his first term.
As Mamdani prepares to take office in January, he faces a city divided by age, experience, and political outlook—but also one buzzing with the hope that a new kind of leadership might just make New York a little more affordable, a little more inclusive, and, yes, a little more fun.
