Zohran Mamdani

Biography

Zohran Kwame Mamdani (born October 18, 1991) is an American politician who has served since 2021 as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 36th district, based in Queens. A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, he is the mayor of New York City. Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, into an Indian family, to academic Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair. The family immigrated to South Africa when he was five years old and then to the United States when he was seven, settling in New York City. Mamdani graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and earned a bachelor's degree in Africana studies from Bowdoin College. After working as a housing counselor and hip-hop musician, he entered local politics as a campaign manager for Khader El-Yateem and Ross Barkan. Mamdani was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, defeating four-term incumbent Aravella Simotas in the Democratic primary. He was reelected without opposition in 2022 and 2024. In October 2024, Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City in the 2025 election. His campaign platform includes support for fare-free city buses; public child care; city-owned grocery stores; a rent freeze on rent-stabilized units; additional affordable housing units; comprehensive public safety reform; and a $30 minimum wage by 2030. Mamdani also supports tax increases on corporations and those earning above $1 million annually. He has been sharply critical of Israel's treatment of Palestinians, pledging to abide by the International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders by arresting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York City. During the Democratic primaries, Mamdani was endorsed by prominent progressive politicians, including Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. On June 24, 2025, Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates to become the Democratic nominee.