New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani built his campaign on the support of everyday New Yorkers, from taxi drivers to bodega workers, and in his victory speech, he made sure to thank them.

Some of those New Yorkers say his words struck a chord with communities that often feel overlooked.

Mamdani thanks taxi drivers, bodega workers in victory speech

Ibrahima Gory has pictures of himself with Mamdani from back in 2021, when the assemblyman stood with taxi drivers fighting for debt relief for cab owners crushed by the medallion crisis.

"Mamdani did a lot for cab drivers," Gory said. "He went on strike with cab drivers for 15 days."

Gory said he was touched that Mamdani, as mayor-elect, gave his community a shoutout in his victory speech.

"I'm so proud he mentioned Senegalese drivers," Gory said.

In his speech, Mamdani highlighted the many New Yorkers who helped drive his grassroots movement, including Yemeni bodega owners, like Jiad Alky.

"I'm grateful for being recognized," Alky said.

He said he hopes the new mayor will deliver on his promises.

"I think he should just prioritize on his goals ... Hopefully we'll see if he can keep his word," Alky said.

Mamdani's word includes affordable child care, making buses free and implementing rent freezes.

"There are so many people who are union members who are in the middle who can't afford New York City anymore, working two jobs," retired teacher Paulette Jackson said.

During his campaign, Mamdani visited a Clinton Hill senior center and took time to listen to residents' concerns. Ester Geddis, who was photographed with Mamdani during the visit, is living on a fixed income. She said she hopes he'll help keep costs down.

"Especially now when there's a shortage and the prices going up," she said.

Mobilizing young voters

In his victory speech, Mamdani also thanked the army of over 100,000 volunteers who helped secure his win.

Sixteen-year-old Aki Benjamin was among those volunteers. Not even old enough to vote, Aki joined a group of 100 high schoolers canvassing for the candidate.

"It was really an amazing sense of community and unity around issues that I feel like isn't so much out there," he said.

"I think the community has been the strongest thing that this campaign has built," said Kathleen Horan, co-founder of Hot Girls for Zohran.

The group gathered hundreds of volunteers – mostly women under 40 – and put out t-shirts that became statement pieces.

"It became kind of a cool thing for young people to volunteer for Mamdani," said Tom Allon, publisher of City and State New York. "I think it was a way for people to meet people and network and feel part of something."  

Mamdani's strongest showing may have been the youth vote. Election data shows he held the biggest lead in precincts where the median age of registered voters is 45 years and younger.

Horan hopes her efforts retain the interest of these new young voters beyond the campaign.

"Because now we need to start looking at what [Mamdani's] doing ... It's time to hold him accountable for everything that he has promised to do," she said.

Some New Yorkers remain unconvinced

Some Brooklyn residents said they don't have much trust in any politician, and it didn't matter who was on the ballot or what promises they made.

"Regardless of their race, religion, I just don't believe in them doing what they promise to do," restaurant worker Riyadh Gazali said.

"Everybody has to prove in action," one person said. "OK, let's see."

Still, many New Yorkers say they're hopeful but cautious as Mamdani prepares to take office.