Who is Zohran Mamdani, the Muslim, Indian‑American running for New York mayor?

New York City Democrats are heading to the polls to make a defining choice: give Andrew Cuomo a political comeback, back progressive challenger Zohran Mamdani, or opt for one of several lesser-known, potentially less divisive candidates in the crowded mayoral primary.

The outcome will offer a clear signal about the kind of leadership Democrats want in the Trump-era political landscape.

In focus is Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a 33‑year‑old Assembly member, who is making history as New York City’s first Muslim and Indian‑American candidate for mayor.

Here’s what we know about him.

Born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved with his family to Cape Town at age five and relocated to New York City at seven, settling in Morningside Heights.

A graduate of Bronx High School of Science and Bowdoin College (BA in Africana Studies, 2014), Mamdani co‑founded the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter in college — a defining early stand in his long career of social justice activism.

He became a naturalised US citizen in 2018 and entered public service as a housing and foreclosure prevention counsellor in Queens, helping low-income families avoid eviction. He credits this role—negotiating with banks driven by profit over people—as the impetus for his decision to run for office.

In 2020, Mamdani was elected to the New York State Assembly for the 36th District, representing Astoria and Long Island City. He became the first South Asian man, the first Ugandan, and the third Muslim to serve in the Assembly.

In office, he built a reputation as a grassroots organiser, winning a major victory for taxi drivers by leading a hunger strike that helped cancel over $450 million in medallion debt. He also secured more than $100 million for subway improvements and launched a fare‑free bus pilot programme.

Beyond transit, his legislative priorities include tax reform (targeting Ivy League universities to fund public schools), community safety via mental‑health responses rather than industry growth, and tax hikes on wealthy New Yorkers to pay for universal childcare, rent freezes, city‑owned grocery stores, and free buses and subways—all hallmarks of his democratic‑socialist platform.

Mamdani’s personality stands out in modern politics: he previously performed rap under the name “Mr. Cardamom,” even influencing the soundtrack of his mother Mira Nair’s film Queen of Katwe.

He has harnessed that creative energy into a dynamic, social‑media‑savvy campaign that resonates with Gen Z and millennial voters, bolstered by endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez.

Reported polls show Mamdani drawing strong grassroots support — especially among under‑45 voters. Critics point to his three years in the workforce, limited legislative record (only three passed bills), and controversial stances on Israel‑Palestine.

Nevertheless, his campaign has surged: raising over $640,000 in the first 80 days with 6,500+ local donors, unlocking $3 million via public matching funds. His volunteers have knocked on over 100,000 doors, while his presence at subway stations and on TikTok has reframed New York’s political discourse.

Mamdani’s bid marks a generational and ideological clash with establishment figures like Andrew Cuomo. If elected, he would be both the youngest mayor in a century and the first Muslim to lead New York City, signalling a profound shift in representation and policy direction.