“Turn the volume up"
The election is over, #138
From October’s soccer tournament
I woke up with two thoughts after getting just a few hours of sleep after election night: The election is finally over. And it’s still only Wednesday.
It’s felt like a sprint since last week, following an epic New York City weekend of Halloween and the marathon and then an election day turnout unlike anything we’ve seen in decades.
You probably heard by now how things shook out. Zohran Mamdani is the city’s next mayor after defeating Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. His victory night speech was defiant and thankful, and you can read a transcript of that here.
You can see how New York City voted at this detailed map, and read our day-of coverage here, and also check out this analysis and our story about how the city’s Muslims are feeling about the historic win. Phew! I also spoke with Mamdani the Monday before election day, as we rode the W train from Herald Square to Astoria for a canvassing event. You can read the transcript here.
For Mamdani supporters, there’s what seems to be a post-election buzz, but there are challenges ahead — like how to make good on campaign promises while balancing budgets.
His transition team, announced a few hours after winning in front of the Unisphere, could help address some of those challenges. (Another reporter asked if Queens was having a real moment now, but Queens has always been the moment. Get with the program!)
Please also check out this City Hall Free For All interview with advisor Patrick Gaspard about Mamdani’s victory, and how he’ll govern. And our election night special, where I called in from the Brooklyn Paramount.
My FAQ and City Hall Free For All colleagues also spoke to advisor Patrick Gaspard about Mamdani’s victory, and how he’ll govern.
My non-news friends sometimes ask me what it’s like covering such a momentous race, such a big moment, but it’s a hard thing to think about when you’re in it. I’m mostly worried about laundry and if I can get to the pool for a swim before doing any work. But it is very cool to be covering all this, if that doesn’t undersell it. I will be taking a vacation for a few days next week (if airports are still operating) so I promise to soak it all in then.
Other interesting stories
The affordable housing ballot measures prevailed [THE CITY]
A Rikers detainee was found dead with 121 pills [THE CITY]
Their daughter invented a board game. It took over their lives. [WSJ]
A quick post-election Mamdani interview [POLITICO]
Stefanik is running for governor, and she’s going to send you 95 press releases a day [NYT]
WATCH
I appear in this Fault Lines episode about the election [AL JAZEERA]
After a long week, who doesn’t need some Jiminy Glick interviews?
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And sadly, rest in peace to Pat Brady, a lifeguard and bartender and firefighter and Rockaway legend who died Saturday after having a heart attack fighting a fire in Brooklyn. Here’s an April Fool’s prank he and his wife played on friends and family two years ago. I’m thinking of everybody today, another painful day for a peninsula that has had too many of them.
Thanks for reading!