Zohran Kwame Mamdani, born on October 18, 1991, is an American politician currently serving as a New York State Assemblymember for the 36th district in Queens since 2021. As a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, he has emerged as a prominent figure in New York City politics. Following a decisive victory in the June 24, 2025, primary election, Mamdani is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City in the upcoming November 2025 election.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of seven. He is the son of Mahmood Mamdani, an Indian-Ugandan academic and professor at Columbia University, and Mira Nair, an Indian-American filmmaker known for acclaimed movies such as "Monsoon Wedding" and "Mississippi Masala". Mamdani's parents met in Uganda while his mother was conducting research for her film. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and later graduated from Bowdoin College in 2014 with a Bachelor's Degree in Africana Studies. In 2018, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Earlier in 2025, he married Syrian-American artist Rama Duwaji.
Before entering politics, Mamdani worked as a housing advocate and a rap music producer in New York City. His experience as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor, assisting low-income homeowners in Queens, exposed him to the realities of the housing crisis and motivated him to run for office. He has also been politically active since high school, co-founding his school's first cricket team and later co-founding his college's Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.
Mamdani's political career began in 2020 when he successfully ran for the New York State Assembly, representing the 36th district, which includes Astoria and Long Island City in Queens. He defeated a four-term incumbent in the Democratic primary and won the general election without Republican opposition. He was subsequently re-elected without opposition in 2022 and 2024. In the Assembly, his legislative priorities have focused on housing reform, transportation, and energy. Accomplishments in his role include securing over $100 million in the state budget for increased subway service, launching a fare-free bus pilot program, and organizing against a proposed power plant.
In October 2024, Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City in the 2025 election. His campaign platform centers on ambitious and progressive policies aimed at addressing the city's affordability crisis and transforming urban life. Key proposals include making city buses free by 2027, implementing a rent freeze on rent-stabilized apartments, establishing a Social Housing Development Agency to build publicly-owned, permanently affordable housing, and creating city-owned grocery stores in each borough to drive down food prices. He has also advocated for stronger tenant protections and rolling back rent hikes in city-owned properties. To fund these initiatives, Mamdani proposes raising the corporate tax rate and taxing the wealthiest New Yorkers.
Mamdani's campaign has gained significant momentum, driven by grassroots organizing, a strong social media presence, and endorsements from prominent progressive figures such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. His victory in the Democratic primary, where he defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo, marks a significant shift towards a more progressive political landscape in New York City.
If elected mayor in November 2025, Mamdani would make history as New York City's first Muslim mayor, first Asian mayor, and first millennial mayor. He is set to face Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in the general election. Given New York City's heavily Democratic population, Mamdani is considered the frontrunner in the race.
