Zohran Mamdani is on track to become the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, following a strong performance in the city's ranked-choice primary held on Tuesday. The 33-year-old state assemblymember and democratic socialist entered the crowded primary race last fall as a relatively unknown candidate but has quickly gained traction. His rise in the polls has been propelled by in-person interactions, viral videos, and policy proposals that resonate particularly with younger and first-time primary voters.
With 93% of precincts reporting, Mamdani received 44% of the ballots, surpassing the other 11 candidates, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who garnered 36%. Cuomo, once the frontrunner, conceded to Mamdani on Tuesday night but left the possibility open for an independent run in November's general election. The primary is not yet officially concluded; ballots from losing candidates will be redistributed to second-choice voters until one candidate achieves the 50% threshold, with this process set to commence on July 1. Nevertheless, Mamdani's significant lead allowed him to declare victory shortly after midnight.
“I will be the mayor for every New Yorker, whether you voted for me, for Gov. Cuomo, or felt too disillusioned by a long, broken political system to vote at all,” Mamdani stated at his watch party in Long Island City. He emphasized his commitment to fighting for a city that is affordable, safe, and effective for all its residents.
If Mamdani secures the primary nomination, he will face several candidates in the general election, including the Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, who ran unopposed in his party's primary, and the current Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking reelection as an independent. According to Gothamist, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a ratio of eight to one in New York City, which could bolster Mamdani's chances.
Mamdani's ascent was not assured; he mobilized tens of thousands of unpaid volunteers to engage young and first-time voters, achieving a significant upset against the Democratic establishment in America’s most populous city, a development that may have national implications.
If elected, Mamdani will make history as New York City’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest mayor in over a century. He will turn 34 in October and could share the distinction with John Purroy Mitchel, who was also 34 when he took office in 1914. Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to academic Mahmood Mamdani and Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair, known for films such as Mississippi Masala and Monsoon Wedding. The family relocated to New York City when Mamdani was seven, and he became a U.S. citizen in 2018.
Mamdani is also notable for being the first mayor of New York City to meet his spouse on a dating app. He married Syrian animator and illustrator Rama Duwaji in a civil ceremony in early 2025.
Mamdani was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020 after graduating from Bowdoin College, where he earned a degree in Africana Studies. He worked as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor in Queens, a role that inspired his political ambitions. “Every day negotiating with banks that valued profits over people made me realize that the housing crisis was not a natural occurrence, but a choice,” Mamdani stated in his official biography.
In 2020, he narrowly defeated a four-term incumbent in the primary, becoming the first South Asian man to serve in the New York State Assembly. He represents the 36th district, which includes the Astoria neighborhood in Queens, and was reelected unopposed in 2022 and 2024. His campaign focuses on affordable housing, free public transportation, and lowering the cost of living by raising taxes on large corporations and the wealthiest 1% of New Yorkers. Although he introduced over 20 bills during his time in Albany, only three became law. One of his notable achievements was a yearlong pilot program for free bus routes across the city, which was not renewed.
In the weeks leading up to the primary, Mamdani received significant endorsements from high-profile progressives, including Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders praised Mamdani and his grassroots supporters, stating, “You took on the political, economic, and media establishment—and you beat them. Now it’s time to win the general election.” Mamdani's list of endorsements also includes prominent political figures such as Rep. Nydia Velázquez, former Rep. Jamaal Bowman, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
He has garnered support from organizations like the New York Working Families Party, the Sunrise Movement, and various local unions, as well as endorsements from notable celebrities, including actor and former gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon, musician Lorde, and SNL cast members Bowen Yang and Sarah Sherman.
Mamdani's views on Israel have sparked controversy. Co-founding his college's first Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, he has been a vocal critic of Israel's military responses, particularly following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. While expressing sorrow for the loss of lives on both sides, Mamdani condemned Israel’s actions, including cutting electricity to Gaza, labeling them as war crimes.
His legislative record includes support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, although he has refrained from stating whether he would advocate for this policy as mayor. A bill he drafted in 2023 aimed to prevent New York nonprofits from supporting Israeli settler activities but drew criticism from some Democratic lawmakers who viewed it as an attack on charitable organizations. The bill did not pass.
In a recent interview, Mamdani was questioned about the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which many view as provocative. Although he defended it as a reflection of a desire for equality, his comments received backlash from Jewish leaders and organizations. He has since stated his opposition to antisemitism, emphasizing that he believes there is no room for it in the city or the country.
Mamdani has openly discussed the personal toll of the vitriol he has faced, sharing that he has received threatening messages related to his faith and has experienced significant challenges throughout his campaign.
