For those opposing diversity, equity and inclusion, the recent elections in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City were discouraging. Democrats won big, and candidates representing racial, gender and religious diversity also prevailed.

The voters in New Jersey elected Democrat Mikie Sherrill, making her the second woman to be elected governor of the state. We saw diversity run the table in Virginia with the election of the state’s first woman governor (Abigail Spanberger), the state’s first Muslim and Asian lieutenant governor (Ghazala Hashmi) and the state’s first Black person as attorney general (Jay Jones). 

The historic election results in Virginia were a sign of progress. The same can be said for 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani, who was elected mayor of New York City. In New York, Mamdani was a relatively unknown state Assembly member from Queens. Early in the democratic mayoral primary, Mamdani was at 1% in the polls until he gained online momentum which propelled him to an upset victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and mainstream Democratic politics. The democratic socialist became the first Muslim and South Asian to be elected mayor of New York City and the youngest person in over a century to lead the nation’s largest city. 

Our democracy is under attack, but it still allows every citizen the freedom of religion. Everyone is free to choose their own religion to worship and practice as they wish. 

In a short period of time, Mamdani has proven to be a true agent of change in his initial primary candidacy for mayor and then his subsequent victory in the general election. Many of the past and current differences in our nation are openly displayed by Mamdani’s rise to power. They are the differences between people of Jewish and Muslim faith, differences between the moderate and progressive wings of the Democratic party, differences between the young guns and the old guard, and lastly the class differences between the working class and billionaires. 

In his victory speech, Mamdani spoke of a “new age.” As a result, he was able to turn out voters on a platform centered on addressing affordability. His message resonated not only with young voters, but all those who are struggling with the high cost of living in America’s largest city. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, a left-leaning Democrat who represents a Brooklyn-based district, said Mamdani won with a simple message of affordability for all. 

“He gave us something to believe in,” Velazquez said at Mamdani’s election night party. She said his campaign threatens billionaires in power. Mamdani has the potential to become a powerful force as he listens and understands that in a city of mostly renters, people are struggling. Regardless of their political party affiliation, race or religion, many New Yorkers are economically stressed. 

As Mamdani campaigned on promises to freeze rent increases for the city’s 1 million rent-regulated apartments, he ran a savvy social media campaign that featured videos of him speaking to working class voters who voted for Donald Trump on issues concerning the cost of living. He developed a campaign for recognizing the plight of those who are suffering and becoming their advocate and fighter. 

In addition to freezing rent increases, Mamdani reiterated plans to hire thousands of new teachers, renegotiate city contracts, build more affordable housing and provide universal child care. 

Jonathan Greenblatt, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) national director, said Mamdani has “associated with individuals who have a history of antisemitism, and demonstrated intense animosity toward the Jewish state. 

“In this moment, we urge the Jewish community to help lower the temperature, listen generously, and take steps to promote healing,” the Reform Movement statement said. “We will hold the new mayor accountable to his commitments to protect Jewish communities and all New Yorkers, to confront antisemitism and every form of hate, and to safeguard civil rights and peaceful expression.” 

At a time when our nation is in need of local, state and federal leaders willing to stand up against the authoritarianism from the Trump administration, all Americans who still believe in democracy should want to see Mamdani succeed despite his faith and democratic socialist views. If Trump and Elon Musk endorsed Cuomo over Mamdani for mayor, then you have to support Mamdani. 

The writer is founder of faith-based organization TRB: The Reconciled Bo