New York, Nov 5: Three South Asian American leaders claimed historic victories in the 2025 elections, signaling a new chapter for representation in U.S. politics. Zohran Mamdani, Ghazala Hashmi, and Aftab Pureval captured major offices in New York City, Virginia, and Cincinnati, respectively, breaking historic barriers for both Muslim and South Asian communities.
Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist, won the New York City mayoral race against former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, earning 50.6 percent of votes with 83 percent counted. Cuomo received 41.3 percent, and Sliwa trailed with 137,030 votes, according to official election results. Mamdani is the first Muslim and South Asian to lead the nation’s largest city.
Mamdani, the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, campaigned on lowering living costs and advocating for working-class New Yorkers. Analysts described his win as a shift toward progressive policies in a city traditionally shaped by corporate interests.
“New York City is ready for a government that works for everyone, not just the privileged,” Mamdani said.
Meanwhile, Aftab Pureval secured re-election as mayor of Cincinnati, defeating Republican Cory Bowman. Elected initially in 2021, Pureval has been recognized for enhancing economic opportunities and improving public services. Though Cincinnati’s mayoral race is officially nonpartisan, he ran with strong Democratic backing and had previously dominated the all-party primary with over 80 percent of the vote.
“Aftab’s leadership continues to resonate with Cincinnati residents,” said a local political analyst. Pureval, who is a lawyer, emphasized inclusive city development during his campaign.
In Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi, 61, won the post of Lieutenant Governor, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian American in the role. Hashmi, a long-time Democratic state senator, captured 1,465,634 votes (54.2 percent), defeating Republican John Reid, who received 1,232,242 votes. Her platform focused on education, healthcare access, reproductive rights, and environmental protection. She received strong support from the Indian American Impact Fund, which contributed $175,000 toward voter mobilization.
“Hashmi’s victory is historic for the community and for democracy,” said Chintan Patel, executive director of the Impact Fund, highlighting her long-term advocacy for working families.
The successes of Mamdani, Pureval, and Hashmi illustrate a widening presence of South Asian Americans in elected offices across the United States, marking a milestone for diversity, representation, and political empowerment.
