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New York City elected democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as mayor, elevating a progressive agenda of free buses, rent freezes, universal childcare and a higher minimum wage. Backed by the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which supplied early endorsement and volunteers, Mamdani rejected President Trump’s repeated claims that he is a communist. He framed his politics around fairer wealth distribution, citing Martin Luther King Jr. His victory, endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, energizes the movement even as political scientists question its reach outside New York City; Mamdani says his platform differs from DSA.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.