By Fedelis Fengu
NEW YORK, NY—As the city closes the book on a dramatic election cycle, New Yorkers are pausing to acknowledge the dual significance of this moment: the dignified departure of a dedicated leader, Mayor Eric Adams, and the historic arrival of the city’s next Chief Executive, Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani.
When Eric Adams, a veteran NYPD captain who rose to the city’s highest office, took the helm, New York was grappling with a post-pandemic surge in disorder. Mayor Adams made public safety his “North Star,” and his legacy is undeniable: he delivered seven consecutive quarters of major crime reduction across the five boroughs, making tangible progress toward fulfilling the solemn promise he made to New Yorkers.
He will forever be remembered as the African American police officer who became Mayor and successfully made New York safe again. His life story—from walking the beat in a bulletproof vest to commanding City Hall—is a testament to the city’s promise.
In his decision to step back from the competitive independent race, Mayor Adams demonstrated a deep respect for the democratic process, choosing to honor the will of the voters over personal ambition. He fought a tireless fight for the city he loves, and for that tenacity, we applaud his service and commitment. He leaves office with the distinct title of a Mayor who tamed crime and gave New Yorkers back their streets and subways.
Now, the city looks forward to its future under Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, whose victory is historic on multiple fronts. Mamdani, a Ugandan-Indo-American with a wonderfully diverse heritage—a cultural bridge between Africa, Asia, and the Americas—connected profoundly with the men and women of New York.
He ran a truly unorthodox, grassroots campaign, eschewing establishment money and focusing instead on the kitchen-table economics affecting working-class families and young people. His powerful message of affordability, including bold proposals for fare-free buses and a rent freeze, galvanized a broad, multiracial coalition that redefined political engagement in the city.
Mamdani’s ascendancy marks him as New York’s first African-born, first Muslim, and first Indian-origin mayor, symbolizing the city’s unparalleled diversity and its embrace of generational change. He successfully navigated a contentious political landscape to become the Mayor-Elect of one of the most important cities in the world. The transition from a tough-on-crime former cop to a progressive democratic socialist is a profound reflection of the city’s dynamic, complex priorities. As New York enters this new era of leadership, the world is once again watching closely—because when New York sneezes, the world catches a cold.
