On June 25 local time, 33-year-old New York State Assemblyman and democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani pulled off a surprise victory over 67-year-old former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, winning the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. The upset has sparked widespread discussion across the U.S. media and political circles. According to American media, if elected, Mamdani would become the first Muslim, the first Indian-American, and the youngest mayor in New York City’s history.
Mamdani’s Path: From Upbringing to Politics
According to reports from the Associated Press, The Washington Post, and other U.S. media outlets, Zohran Mamdani was born in Uganda and moved to New York with his family at the age of seven, after a brief period living in Cape Town, South Africa. Both of his parents are of Indian descent—his mother is a well-known film director, and his father is an anthropology professor at Columbia University. Earlier this year, Mamdani married Rama Duwaji, a Syrian-American artist. The couple currently resides in Queens, New York.
Mamdani graduated from the elite public Bronx High School of Science, where he co-founded the school’s first cricket team. In 2014, he earned a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, one of the top liberal arts schools in the U.S. During his time there, he co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. After graduating, Mamdani worked in Queens helping residents fight evictions—a turning point that motivated his entry into politics.
Beyond politics, Mamdani is also active in the local hip-hop scene and describes himself as a “B-tier rapper.” However, some critics have taken issue with a 2017 song he performed in support of New York’s Muslim community, calling its lyrics too extreme.
In 2020, Mamdani was elected to the New York State Assembly and has since won re-election twice, gradually raising his political profile. Notable policies he championed include a pilot program to make some city bus routes free for one year, and legislation aimed at banning nonprofit support for Israeli settlement activities.
“A New Progressive Face”
According to the primary vote count on the 25th, Mamdani secured 43.5% of the vote, taking a commanding lead over his main rival, Andrew Cuomo, and effectively clinching the Democratic nomination. In November, Mamdani will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams—running as an independent—and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the race for New York City mayor. Although Cuomo has conceded the primary, there is speculation he may still enter the general election as an independent candidate.
CNN called Mamdani’s victory nothing short of a political miracle. Just weeks ago, his chances of winning were considered extremely slim. On May 27, Polymarket—a platform known for accurately predicting the 2024 presidential race—gave Cuomo a 92.5% chance of winning, while Mamdani’s odds were under 10%.
The report notes that Mamdani, a state assemblyman primarily active in Queens, broke through with bold, visually striking campaign ads and a savvy command of social media. With over a million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and X, he turned a local campaign into a national movement. He is now seen as a rising “progressive face” challenging both Republican and Democratic establishments.
The Associated Press, however, noted that Mamdani will have to address several controversies if he wants to go further in the mayoral race. In a 2020 post, Mamdani called the NYPD “racist” and “a major threat to public safety.” He has since softened his stance, now acknowledging the essential role of the police. Still, he continues to advocate for creating a new public safety department that leans more on mental health professionals and community outreach workers.
Mamdani’s staunch support for Palestine has also drawn criticism. Cuomo and other opponents have labeled him “antisemitic.” Mamdani has described Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “genocide” and argued that Palestine should exist “as a state with equal rights.” This position has resonated deeply among pro-Palestinian residents and the local Muslim community.
“The Republican Party’s Worst Nightmare”
After the news broke, former President Donald Trump lashed out on social media, writing: “The Democrats just elevated a 100% communist lunatic—they’ve gone too far.” He added, “We’ve elected radical leftists before, but this is ridiculous.”
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a strong supporter of Mamdani, fired back at the criticism, saying Mamdani’s campaign “shows the direction the Democratic Party should be heading—fighting for working people, not billionaires.” He also warned Republicans that “people like Mamdani are their worst nightmare.”
According to U.S. media reports, Mamdani’s surprise victory sent shockwaves through Wall Street. Several top global financiers and corporate leaders reportedly held urgent private calls to strategize on how to respond to the political upheaval, with discussions of raising up to $20 million to oppose Mamdani. Some Wall Street executives, developers, and landlords are now even considering leaving New York.
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