Elected officials, organizers and community members joined to recognize the Working Families Party’s victories across the state in this year‘s elections.

Among them was Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

“Working class New Yorkers are having it too hard,” said Jasmine Gripper, co-director of NYS Working Families Party. “The rent is too high, child care is too expensive. Public transportation is crumbling. It’s time we make strategic investments in our infrastructure. It’s government responsibility to work on behalf of the people and not just the rich.”

The Working Families Party saw a surge of winds at the polls across New York state this year. For instance, the first Black woman elected as mayor in both Syracuse and Albany.

Mamdani was also a winner on the party line.

“I’m so thankful for the party's belief in me and the people who call this city home,” said Mamdani. “This is a party that will keep New Yorkers engaged.”

The mood for the event was celebratory, but the message was forward-looking. As those wins now come with expectations, and a shift from campaigning to governing.

“You have every aspect of the need for progress here in this building,” said Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “We’re going to be able to push our progressive agenda with less interference because we work together.

“Many are looking to politics as something they can only associate with despair,” said Mamdani. “And yet what this party and this room shows is that it can also be a place to find hope. And in less than 360 hours, we will take the first step to show what that hope looks like.”