Zohran Mamdani, a New York State Assembly member representing District 36 in Queens, is making a bid for New York City Mayor in the upcoming 2025 election. Born in Uganda and raised in New York City, Mamdani, a self-described Democratic Socialist, has been a vocal advocate for working-class New Yorkers throughout his career.

Mamdani's political journey began long before his election to the Assembly in 2021. He was deeply involved in organizing and activism, co-founding the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Bowdoin College. He also volunteered for several progressive campaigns, including those of Khader El-Yateem for City Council and Tiffany Cabán for Queens District Attorney. His experience as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor, helping low-income homeowners of color fight eviction, further solidified his commitment to addressing issues of economic and social justice.

In 2019, Mamdani launched his campaign for the New York State Assembly, running on a platform of housing reform, police and prison reform, and public ownership of utilities. He secured the endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and, after a close primary race against a four-term incumbent, won the general election in November 2020. As an Assembly member, Mamdani has championed policies aimed at improving the lives of his constituents, including fare-free bus pilot program and advocating for debt relief for taxi drivers who were burdened by predatory loans.

His mayoral campaign is centered around addressing the city's affordability crisis and creating a more equitable New York for all residents. Key proposals include a rent freeze for rent-stabilized tenants, the implementation of free city buses, and the creation of a network of city-owned grocery stores to drive down food prices. Mamdani also aims to create a Department of Community Safety focused on violence prevention through community-based solutions, expand access to childcare, and make public transportation more reliable and accessible.

Mamdani's campaign has gained traction, particularly among progressive voters. The New York Working Families Party (NYWFP) has endorsed Mamdani as their first choice for mayor, with the organization aiming to consolidate political support behind him and other like-minded candidates.

While former Governor Andrew Cuomo has been leading in the polls, Mamdani's rise in the race has been notable. Recent polls indicate that Mamdani has been gaining ground, and he is positioned to consolidate the anti-Cuomo vote in the ranked-choice voting system used in the Democratic primary.

The Democratic primary, scheduled for June 24, 2025, is expected to be a competitive contest. With a crowded field of candidates, the race is seen as a battle between progressive activists and the more centrist and conservative factions of the Democratic Party. The winner of the primary will likely face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for re-election as an independent.