Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani will become New York City's next mayor after a bitterly contested election.

The 34-year-old candidate's win in the Democratic mayoral primary against then-favourite Andrew Cuomo - a former New York governor making a political comeback from a sexual harassment scandal - shocked the nation.

His rise to political stardom was complete late on Tuesday night when he was projected to have won the mayoral contest , which will see him sworn in to replace Eric Adams in January.

He will be the city's first Muslim and Indian American mayor. He will also be the youngest and most liberal New York City leader in generations.

But how did he get here, what does he stand for, and why has he proved a divisive figure?

From rapper to mayor

Image: Zohran M

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