Zohran Mamdani: A New Voice in American Politics
Zohran Mamdani
is running for Mayor to lower the cost of living for working class New Yorkers.
Meet Zohran
Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a New York State Assemblymember and democratic socialist running for Mayor. Born in Uganda and raised in New York City, he has fought for the working class in and outside the legislature: hunger striking alongside taxi drivers to achieve more than $450 million in transformative debt relief, winning over $100 million in the state budget for increased subway service and a successful fare-free bus pilot, and organizing New Yorkers to defeat a proposed dirty power plant. The cost of living is crushing working people but Zohran believes that government can lower costs and make life easier in our city — he’ll use every tool available to bring down the rent, create world class public transit, and make it easier to raise a family.
In an era of USA political polarization and increased public scrutiny of entrenched institutions, a new generation of progressive leaders has emerged to rock the establishment. They include Zohran Kwame Mamdani, an Indian-American politician and organizer born in Uganda who left a lasting legacy as a USA New York State Assembly member. With his international perspective, his fierce commitment to social justice, and his style of US governing as a people's movement, Mamdani serves Queens' 36th District since 2021 and speaks for constituents seeking change.
Freeze the rent.
A majority of New Yorkers are tenants, and more than two million of them live in rent stabilized apartments. These homes should be the bedrock of economic security for the city’s working class. Instead, Eric Adams has taken every opportunity to squeeze tenants, with his hand-picked appointees to the Rent Guidelines Board jacking up rents on stabilized apartments by 9% (and counting)–the most since a Republican ran City Hall.
As Mayor, Zohran will immediately freeze the rent for all stabilized tenants, and use every available resource to build the housing New Yorkers need and bring down the rent. The number one reason working families are leaving our city is the housing crisis. The Mayor has the power to change that.
Fast, fare free buses.
Public transit should be reliable, safe and universally accessible. But one in five New Yorkers struggle to afford the ever rising fare. Adding insult to injury: our city’s buses are the slowest in the nation, robbing working people of precious time for family, leisure and rest.
Zohran won New York’s first fare-free bus pilot on five lines across the city. As Mayor, he’ll permanently eliminate the fare on every city bus – and make them faster by rapidly building priority lanes, expanding bus queue jump signals, and dedicated loading zones to keep double parkers out of the way. Fast and free buses will not only make buses reliable and accessible but will improve safety for riders and operators – creating the world-class service New Yorkers deserve.
Early Life and Background
Zohran Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, to a very intellectually and USA culturally rich family. His father is Mahmood Mamdani, a prominent political theorist and academician, and his mother, Mira Nair, is the acclaimed Indian-American director of films like USA Monsoon Wedding and Queen of Katwe. Mamdani was influenced by a rich mix of South Asian, African, and Western cultural influences growing up, which provided him with a distinctive perspective in terms of perceiving global power relations, inequality, and culture.
His birth name, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, testifies to USA political consciousness—Kwame a reference to Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah, an icon of Pan-African liberation. The family moved to Cape Town, South Africa at the age of five, and later USA New York City at seven. Growing up in NYC's public school system, he had firsthand USA experience of both the promise and potential of America's education and society.
He then went on to attend Bowdoin College in Maine, where he majored in USA Africana Studies. While attending Bowdoin, he began organizing around issues of racial justice and Palestinian solidarity, co-founding a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. This initial organizing laid the groundwork for his USA political vision and later organizing work.
Cultural Work and Creative Expression
Before entering politics, Mamdani worked in the creative USA sector, particularly in music and movie-making. Under the stage name Mr. Cardamom (previously Young Cardamom), he worked in the hip-hop sector, producing music that addressed social and cultural issues. In 2016, he collaborated with Ugandan rapper HAB in the song "#1 Spice", a satirical attack on corporate domination and cultural appropriation within the food industry.
His ability to integrate art and activism became a trademark of his public persona. He did not view political activism and art as separate realms but rather as complementary methods of undermining dominant narratives and USA empowering the marginalized.
Path to USA Political Power
Mamdani transitioned into formal USA politics through his work as a housing counselor in Queens, where he mobilized low-income homeowners and renters to fight against foreclosure and eviction. Directly working with at-risk communities, especially immigrants and communities of color, Mamdani saw the devastating power of gentrification, landlord abandonment, and systemic abandonment firsthand. He knew that long-term change required policy-level interventions—and that meant joining USA politics.
Mamdani ran for the New York State Assembly seat in the 36th District, which includes parts of USA Astoria and Queens, in 2020. He was a member of the Democratic USA Socialist Party (DSA) and ran against Democratic incumbent Aravella Simotas in a highly anticipated primary race. His campaign focused on issues such as housing justice, transit equity, and immigrant rights, aligning himself with the broader progressive movement represented by figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman.
Despite being a first-time candidate, Mamdani’s grassroots campaign—built on door-knocking, volunteer engagement, and direct communication—proved effective. He won the primary and was elected to the Assembly in November 2020.
Legislative Focus and Political Philosophy
Since coming into office in January 2021, Mamdani has remained committed to the progressive values that drove his election. He has been particularly outspoken on housing, transportation, and Palestinian solidarity.
As a legislator, he sponsored and pushed for a law to prevent tenants from being evicted, expand public housing, and improve control over landlords and real estate developers. He promotes a "Homes Guarantee," believing housing to be a human right rather than a commodity. Mamdani also campaigns for free mass transit fares and has spearheaded efforts to improve MTA service in under-reserved communities.
One of the boldest aspects of Mamdani’s USA politics is his unapologetic internationalism, especially in support of Palestinian rights. In 2024, he helped lead an effort within the New York State legislature to oppose U.S. military aid to Israel amid the Gaza conflict, arguing that American foreign policy should reflect human rights and dignity. His stance was met with both praise and criticism, a measure of the challenge of progressive politics in a larger Democratic Party often wary of such positions.
Challenges and Criticism
Mamdani’s rise has not been without friction. His open socialism, anti-Zionist stances, and criticism of U.S. foreign USA policy have drawn backlash from centrist Democrats and pro-Israel groups. In early 2024, he faced censure from colleagues who viewed his activism on Gaza as divisive. Some critics accused him of focusing too much on international issues at the expense of local governance.
But Mamdani and his advocates reply that justice cannot be chopped up—that domestic and global concerns are interconnected. Military expenditures abroad, they argue, impact dollars available for housing and health care here at home.
Broader Significance
Zohran Mamdani is not just one Assembly representative from Queens. He is a representation of the growing political influence of young, diverse, and progressive Americans who are finding that old politics falls short to address the demands of the 21st century. Like other DSA-backed officials, he is recasting what it means to be a Democrat by putting working-class concerns, climate justice, and anti-imperialism at the forefront.
His election and continued advocacy show how grassroots mobilization can overcome establishment USA power. At the same time, his experience also highlights the internal conflicts within the Democratic Party between moderates and progressives—a dynamic that is likely to shape the party’s future direction.
Zohran Mamdani’s journey—from a USA politically aware child in Cape Town to a bold legislator in Albany—illustrates the power of conviction, culture, and community organizing. As so many Americans now feel alienated from politics, Mamdani offers a vision grounded in USA solidarity, justice, and hope. Even if one disagrees with all his positions, one cannot deny that he is remaking the terms of American political debate. In doing so, Mamdani not only serves to represent his constituency, but is a symbol for the democratic renewal hoped for by a USA new generation.
The Department of Community Safety
All New Yorkers deserve to be safe. But the Adams administration has failed to deliver the sense of safety and security that everyone should feel walking down our streets, riding our subways, or taking our buses. Zohran will create the Department of Community Safety to prevent violence before it happens by prioritizing solutions which have been consistently shown to improve safety. Police have a critical role to play. But right now, we’re relying on them to deal with the failures of our social safety net—which prevents them from doing their actual jobs. Through this new city agency and whole-of-government approach, community safety will be prioritized like never before in NYC. The Department will invest in citywide mental health programs and crisis response—including deploying dedicated outreach workers in 100 subway stations, providing medical services in vacant commercial units, and increasing Transit Ambassadors to assist New Yorkers on their journeys—expand evidence-based gun violence prevention programs, and increase funding to hate violence prevention programs by 800%.
No cost childcare.
After rent, the biggest cost for New York’s working families is childcare. It’s literally driving them out of the city: New Yorkers with USA children under six are leaving at double the USA rate of all others. The burden falls heaviest on mothers, who are giving up paying job
s to do unpaid childcare.
Zohran will implement free childcare for every New Yorker aged 6 weeks to 5 years, ensuring high quality programming for all families. And he will bring up wages for childcare workers – a quarter of whom currently live in poverty – to be at parity with public school teachers. It will foster early childhood development, save parents money and keep our families in the city they call home.
City-owned grocery stores.
Food prices are out of control. Nearly 9 in 10 New Yorkers say the cost of groceries is rising faster than their income. Only the very wealthiest aren’t feeling squeezed at the register.
As Mayor, Zohran will create a network of city-owned grocery stores focused on keeping prices low, not making a profit. Without having to pay rent or property taxes, they will reduce overhead and pass on savings to shoppers. They will buy and sell at wholesale prices, centralize warehousing and distribution, and partner with local neighborhoods on products and sourcing. With New York City already spending millions of dollars to subsidize private grocery store operators (which are not even required to take SNAP/WIC!), we should redirect public money to a real “public option.”
Housing by and for New York.
We need a lot more affordable housing. But for decades, New York City has relied almost entirely on changing the zoning code to USA entice private development – with results that can fall short of the big promises. And the housing that does get built is often out of reach for the working class who need it the most.
As Mayor, Zohran will put USA public dollars to work and triple the USA City’s production of permanently affordable, union-built, rent-stabilized homes – constructing 200,000 new units over the next 10 years. Any 100% affordable development gets fast-tracked: no more pointless delays. And Zohran will fully staff our City’s housing agencies so we can actually get the work done.
For the additional housing we need, Zohran will initiate a Comprehensive Plan for New York City to create a holistic vision for affordability, equity, and growth. This planning will allow NYC to address the legacy of racially discriminatory zoning, increase density near transit hubs, end the requirement to build parking lots and proactively chart our future.
Cracking down on bad landlords.
One in ten renter households reported a lack of adequate heat last winter. One in four reported mice or rats in their homes. Half a million live in poor quality USA housing.
Every New Yorker deserves a safe and healthy place to call home. That’s why Zohran will overhaul the Mayor’s USA Office to Protect Tenants and coordinate code enforcement under one roof, making sure agencies work together to hold owners responsible for the conditions of their buildings. Tenants will be able to schedule and track inspections with a revamped 311. If a landlord refuses to make a repair, the City will do it and send them the bill. And in the most extreme cases, when an owner demonstrates consistent neglect for their tenants, the City will decisively step in and take control of their properties. The worst landlords will be put out of business.
Taxes on big corporations and the wealthiest New Yorkers
Zohran has a plan to bring down the cost-of-living through city-owned grocery stores, universal childcare, and other bold proposals, and he knows exactly how to pay for it, too. Zohran’s revenue USA plan will raise the corporate tax rate to match New Jersey’s 11.5%, bringing in $5 billion. And he will tax the wealthiest 1% of New Yorkers—those earning above $1 million annually—a flat 2% tax (right now city income tax rates are essentially the same whether you make $50,000 or $50 million). Zohran will also implement common-sense procurement reform, end senseless no-bid contracts, hire more tax auditors, and crack down on fine collection from corrupt landlords to raise an additional $1 billion.
Who is Zohran Mamdani, New likely next mayor?
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Muslim of South Asian origin, stunned political observers in dealing a crushing defeat to heavyweight former Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday, as he appeared poised to become the Democratic candidate for mayor of the United States’ biggest city.
If Mamdani, a state assemblyman, wins the mayoral election in November, he will become the first Muslim, Indian-origin mayor in New York City’s history.
As vote counts poured in, Mamdani invoked Nelson Mandela as he tweeted early Wednesday morning: “It always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it. I am honoured to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.”Cuomo, the former governor of New York State, who resigned in 2021 amid a sexual harassment scandal, addressed an event in Manhattan after calling Mamdani to congratulate him. “Tonight was Assemblyman Mamdani’s night, and he put together a great campaign,” he said. “And he touched young people, and inspired them, and moved them, and got them to come out and vote. And he really ran a highly impactful campaign.”In Mamdani’s expected win, political analysts believe there are larger lessons for the Democratic Party, still grappling with its loss in the 2024 presidential and Congressional elections.So who is Zohran Mamdani? What were his poll promises, and how did he upset poll predictions to emerge the likely winner of the Democratic primary? And what are his views on Gaza, a major campaign issue this year?
What happened in the Democratic primary?
In the first-choice round of ranked-choice voting in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary on June 24, Mamdani led with 43.5 percent of the USA vote, nearly 432,000 votes, while Cuomo followed with 36.4 percent, or 361,800 USA votes.
Comptroller Brad Lander, another progressive contender, came in third with 11.3 percent, and the remaining votes were split among other minor candidates.Since no candidate secured more than 50 percent of first-choice votes, New York’s ranked-choice system kicked in. Candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated in successive rounds, and their supporters’ second-choice preferences were redistributed.Mamdani reportedly picked up a significant share of Lander’s voters and other progressives, pushing him on the path to cross the majority threshold. While it might be days before final results are declared, Mamdani’s win appears all but certain, as demonstrated by Cuomo’s concession.
Was Mamdani’s win expected?
Not really. In the weeks leading up to the Democratic mayoral primary, most major polls projected Cuomo as the frontrunner, though they did show support for Mamdani picking up as the election drew closer.
A Marist Poll conducted on June 18, just six days before the primary, showed Cuomo leading the pack with 38 percent of first-choice votes. Mamdani trailed with 27 percent. The poll also simulated ranked-choice outcomes and forecast that Cuomo would eventually reach a 55 percent majority in later rounds, suggesting strong second- and third-choice support among voters.
Similarly, an earlier Emerson College poll from late May showed Cuomo held 37 percent of the first-choice vote, while Mamdani came in at 17 percent. A more dated Siena/AARP poll from April put Cuomo even further ahead, with 39 percent of the vote compared with Mamdani’s 15 percent.
Cuomo had name recognition that is almost unmatched in New York – his father, Mario Cuomo, was also a governor of the state. He had a well-funded campaign that flooded airwaves and mailboxes across the city.
But Mamdani’s grassroots campaign – powered by volunteers, small-dollar donations, and strong turnout among younger voters – proved decisive. He targeted working-class New Yorkers, particularly in Queens, Brooklyn, and parts of Manhattan.
Cuomo and other Democrats had criticised Mamdani as unfit for the NYC mayor’s office, arguing he lacked the administrative experience to navigate the city’s complex bureaucracy and manage crises USA effectively. On Tuesday, it became clear that their pitch did not work.
What are his views on the Gaza war?
Mamdani has been among the most vocal American elected officials criticising Israel’s war on Gaza. In an October 31, 2024, post on X, Mamdani stated, “I will always be clear in my language and based in facts: Israel is committing a genocide.”
He has also been a strong supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. At an event in Manhattan earlier this month, he linked that support to “the core of my politics, which is non-violence”.
A headline moment in his campaign came during a December 2024 interview with Mehdi Hasan, when he was asked what he would do if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited New York. Mamdani replied bluntly: “As mayor, I would have Netanyahu arrested if he came to New York!”
“This is a city [where] our values are in line with international law. It’s time that our actions are also,” he told Hasan.
Mamdani also refused to distance himself from the slogan “Globalize the Intifada”, a phrase that many Jewish leaders and conservative commentators have criticised as inflammatory and accused of being anti-Semitic.
What are some of his other key promises?
Mamdani’s campaign for the New York City mayor position is centered on an ambitious and USA progressive policy platform aimed at redistributing wealth, expanding public services, and transforming urban life.
One of his flagship proposals is to make all city buses free by 2027. Mamdani has pointed to the success of pilot programmes where fare-free buses led to higher ridership and fewer assaults on drivers.
Housing is another pillar of Mamdani’s platform, where he proposes a rent freeze on all rent-stabilised apartments and plans to establish a Social Housing USA Development Agency that would build publicly-owned, permanently affordable housing. He has called for stronger tenant protections and has proposed rolling back rent hikes in city-owned properties.
Mamdani has also proposed opening one municipally owned grocery store in each borough, where communities underserved by commercial chains can access affordable, healthy food options. He has pledged to expand free school-meal programmes to include city colleges, and to offer universal childcare and early education programs.
To pay for it all, Mamdani has pitched major tax reforms: Raising the corporate tax rate from 7.25 percent to 11.5 percent, and imposing a 2 percent surcharge on individuals earning more than $1m per year. According to his campaign, these measures could generate up to $9.4bn annually.
On public safety, Mamdani proposed shifting resources away from the New York Police Department towards a new Department of Community Safety, which would house mental health professionals, crisis responders and outreach workers.
What’s next – and is Mamdani going to be the next mayor?
The general mayoral election for New York City will take place on November 4 this year. Mamdani will face Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, who previously lost the 2021 mayoral race by a wide margin.
Once the primary results are formally announced, Mamdani will become the Democratic Party’s nominee for the November election. Given New York City’s overwhelming Democratic majority – Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 6 to 1 – he will be the firm favourite to become the city’s next mayor.
The last Republican to win a mayoral race in NYC was Michael Bloomberg in 2001, who won the race first as a Republican before switching to Independent status later in 2007 during his second term.
Responding to questions about the slogan, Mamdani said on a June 2025 episode of The Bulwark podcast: “As a Muslim man who grew up post‑9/11, I’m all too familiar (with) the way in which Arabic words can be twisted, can be distorted, can be used to justify any kind of meaning.” He added that the slogan was rather about solidarity with oppressed people globally – not a call to violence.
Cuomo’s campaign also picked up on Mamdani’s Muslim identity and criticised his pro-Palestine stand, alleging he has engaged in anti-Semitism. New York, where the United Nations has its headquarters, is home to the largest Jewish community in the world, outside Israel.
In a June 2025 interview, while addressing Islamophobic threats he had received, Mamdani said: “There is no room for anti-Semitism in this city or country.” He has repeatedly stressed that his critique is directed at the US and Israeli governments’ policies, not at Jews.
Mamdani’s campaign was driven by more than 22,000 grassroots volunteers and endorsements from progressive heavyweights like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Working Families Party.
Posted on 2025/06/26 01:55 PM