Zohran Mamdani, 34, has won New York City's race for mayor in a contest that rallied young voters and sparked debate about the future direction of the US Democratic Party.
Ugandan-born Mamdani, a Democrat, beat former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, to become the youngest person in over a century to lead the largest city in the US.
My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty, the self-described democratic socialist told the crowd during a victory speech.
Democrats also won governor races in Virginia and New Jersey, while in California voters backed a proposition to redraw the congressional electoral map ahead of next year's midterm elections.
Mamdani made affordability the central message of his campaign, pledging to expand social programmes paid for by new taxes on high earners and corporations.
In New York, he was a relatively unknown member of the state assembly until his campaign gained online momentum a few months ago, propelling him to victory in the Democratic primary contest over the summer.
Mamdani has become the first South Asian and Muslim to lead the city. In his victory speech, he spoke of a new age.
For as long as we can remember, the working people of New York have been told by the wealthy and the well-connected that power does not belong in their hands, Mamdani said.
The future is in our hands, he said, pledging to create a government that works for everyone.
Mamdani's campaign has drawn significant national attention, including from US President Donald Trump, who in the days before the vote threatened to withhold federal funds from New York if Mamdani won.
The president calls Mamdani a communist - a label that Mamdani rejects.
In overnight projections from CBS, Mamdani had secured 50.3% of the vote, compared with Cuomo's 41.6%. Republican Curtis Sliwa had just over 7%. Shortly after the winner was projected, Sliwa conceded.
We have a mayor-elect, Sliwa told a group of supporters. Obviously I wish him good luck, because if he does well, we do well.
Cuomo also conceded, congratulating Mamdani despite a chorus of boos from his supporters.
But Cuomo highlighted that almost half of New Yorkers who voted had not picked Mamdani, and said his opponent had made promises that cannot be met.
There are questions over how Mamdani will pay for his ambitious social agenda and critics have questioned how a politician with no executive experience will handle a hostile Trump administration.
On social media, Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson criticized the consequences of New York City's choice, stating, Zohran Mamdani's election cements the Democrat Party's transformation to a radical, big-government socialist party.
Mamdani's win represents a pivotal moment for the Democratic Party, indicating a potential shift towards more progressive policies. As he takes office, all eyes will be on how he tackles the challenges ahead.
