Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as the 112th mayor of New York City on January 1, 2026. The 34-year-old, is the first Muslim and Asian American to hold the office. Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, previously served as a New York State Assembly member for the 36th district from 2021 to 2025, representing Astoria, Queens.
Mamdani's inauguration began with a private ceremony at the stroke of midnight in the abandoned City Hall subway station. New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath of office. Mamdani took the oath on the Quran, marking the first time a New York City mayor has done so. He used two Qurans, one belonging to his grandfather and the other to Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, a Black writer and historian. Mamdani stated that he chose to be sworn in on the Quran to honor the deep roots of Muslim communities in the city. He also said the choice of the Old City Hall station, one of New York’s original subway stops, represented the importance of public transit.
A public inauguration was held later in the day, where Mamdani was sworn in by Senator Bernie Sanders. This was followed by a public block party along Broadway's "Canyon of Heroes".
Mamdani's campaign focused on addressing the city's affordability crisis. His platform includes proposals for municipal grocery stores, elimination of bus fares, and raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2030. At his inauguration, Mamdani appointed veteran city planner Mike Flynn as the new transportation secretary for New York.
Mamdani's election victory in November saw him secure just over 50% of the vote, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. His campaign energized young and progressive voters. Some critics questioned his experience and raised concerns about his views on Israel.
Zohran Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian parents: academic Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair. He is married to Rama Duwaji.
Hank Sheinkopf, a Democrat campaign veteran, said that Mamdani "represents the city of the future – a more Asian city, a more Muslim city, and what could be a more leftwing city".
