Why Zohran Mamdani May Not Be New York City’s 111th Mayor After All

Zohran Mamdani is set to make history on January 1 as New York City’s first Muslim mayor and one of the youngest leaders to hold the office in more than a century. However, new historical research suggests that Mamdani may not officially be the city’s 111th mayor as widely reported.

Historic victory with a possible numbering twist

Mamdani secured a decisive victory in November’s mayoral election, winning 50.78 percent of the vote and defeating Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo. The race recorded the highest voter turnout since 1993 and attracted nationwide attention, fueled in part by criticism from high-profile figures such as Donald Trump.

At just 34 years old, Mamdani becomes the youngest New York City mayor since the 19th century. His rise from a State Assembly member to City Hall was powered by strong grassroots organizing in Queens and overwhelming support from younger voters.

A centuries-old clerical error?

According to historian Paul Hortenstine, the official count of New York City mayors may be incorrect due to a long-standing historical omission.

While researching early city leaders and their connections to the transatlantic slave trade, Hortenstine claims he uncovered evidence that Matthias Nicolls served a second, nonconsecutive term as mayor in 1675. This term does not appear in the city’s official mayoral records.

In an interview with The Gothamist, Hortenstine said documentation clearly shows Nicolls returning to office, a detail that would alter the entire sequence of mayoral numbering. City officials have acknowledged the research and confirmed that the claim is being reviewed. Ken Cobb of New York City’s Department of Records described the discrepancy as unexpected but worthy of examination.

How the mistake may have happened

Historians believe the error originated in an 1841 municipal manual that failed to list Nicolls’ second term. Subsequent historical records reportedly copied the same omission for more than 180 years.

Because nonconsecutive terms are counted separately, as with U.S. presidents, recognizing the missing term would shift all subsequent mayoral numbers by one.

What this means for Mamdani

If the correction is officially adopted, Zohran Mamdani would be recorded as New York City’s 112th mayor, not the 111th. The potential change would have no impact on his authority, responsibilities, or inauguration, affecting only the historical numbering used in official records and future references.

Source: Degens.com