Zohran Mamdani's rapid rise from young unknown to New York City's next mayor was fueled partly by his ability to charm and energize much of the electorate with his upbeat campaign to bring change.

But Mamdani also built his Nov. 4 victory on what proved to be a popular menu of ideas to make the city more affordable. For young and working-class people struggling under New York's stifling costs, the 34-year-old state assemblyman was vowing to offer free child care to all, freeze rents on rent-stabilized apartments and eliminate fares on city buses.

His 9-point win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo showed that message's appeal to many of the more than 2 million voters who cast ballots this mayoral election, even as Cuomo and others dismissed his plans as unrealistic and Republicans warned the

See Full Page