Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani is a politician known for defeating Andrew Cuomo in the 2025 Democratic primary for New York City mayor. He previously represented Queens's 36th district in the New York State Assembly and became New York City's first Muslim mayor-elect.
Personal life
Zohran Mamdani is married to Rama Duwaji, and they live in Astoria, Queens. His parents are Mahmood Mamdani and Mira Nair.
Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, moved with his family to Cape Town, South Africa, at age five, and immigrated to the United States at age seven. His family settled in New York City, and he was raised in Morningside Heights on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
From housing counselor to the State Assembly
Before entering elected office, Mamdani worked as a foreclosure prevention and housing counselor, helping lower-income homeowners fight eviction. He attended Bowdoin College before pursuing a political career.
In 2020, Mamdani won a crowded Democratic primary for the New York State Assembly's 36th district, representing Astoria and part of Long Island City. He began serving in the Assembly in 2021. He became the first South Asian man and first Ugandan to serve in the chamber, as well as its third Muslim member.
Legislative work and policy platform
Mamdani's legislative work included helping implement a pilot program that provided free bus service on one line in each New York City borough. He also joined taxi drivers in a hunger strike aimed at relieving millions of dollars in debt.
His mayoral platform included fast and free buses, a rent freeze for all stabilized tenants, and a network of city-owned grocery stores intended to keep prices low. He was the prime sponsor of 19 pieces of legislation during his Assembly tenure described in the 2025 mayoral campaign coverage.
2025 New York City mayoral campaign
Mamdani ran for mayor as a Democrat and also appeared on the Working Families Party ballot line. He became the Democratic nominee after defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo in the final round of ranked-choice voting, winning 56.4% to Cuomo's 43.6%, a margin of about 130,000 votes.
He was the first candidate to reach the Democratic primary funding limit, with around 18,000 donors citywide. His endorsements included Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Brad Lander, Letitia James, Jumaane Williams, Kathy Hochul, and Hakeem Jeffries. After winning the general election, Mamdani became New York City's youngest mayor-elect since the late 1800s and its first Muslim mayor-elect.
Young Cardamom and hip-hop
Mamdani is a fan of hip-hop and has composed rap music. He performed under the name Young Cardamom and collaborated with Ugandan rapper HAB on the EP Sidda Mukyaalo.
Quick facts
- Mamdani became the first South Asian man and first Ugandan to serve in the New York State Assembly.
- He was the third Muslim member of the New York State Assembly.
- Before entering politics, Mamdani worked as a foreclosure prevention and housing counselor for lower-income homeowners.
- He helped implement a pilot program providing free bus service on one line in each New York City borough.
- Mamdani joined taxi drivers in a hunger strike aimed at relieving millions of dollars in debt.
- He defeated Andrew Cuomo by 56.4% to 43.6% in the final round of ranked-choice voting for the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary.
- Mamdani reached the Democratic primary funding limit with around 18,000 donors citywide.
- His mayoral platform included fast and free buses, a rent freeze for stabilized tenants, and city-owned grocery stores.
- Mamdani performed rap music under the name Young Cardamom.
- He collaborated with Ugandan rapper HAB on the EP Sidda Mukyaalo.
- Mamdani became New York City's youngest mayor-elect since the late 1800s.
- He became New York City's first Muslim mayor-elect.
More politicians
Also view
Suggest an edit to this profile
Spotted something wrong or missing? Tell us what should change and, if you can, where you saw it.