Gen Z and first-time voters played a key role in Mamdani’s primary victory. Here’s how the youth vote is reshaping NYC politics.

Mamdani, who declared victory Tuesday in the race for the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, began his campaign polling at around 1% with voters. The 33-year-old democratic socialist representing Queens District 36 in State Assembly came from the far left of the Democratic establishment with hopes that New York would take a chance on a progressive economic agenda to combat rising prices and the housing crisis.