Zohran Mamdani set to become first Indian-American to lead New York as Mayor: Who is the 33-year-old Democratic socialist?
Zohran Mamdani
, a 33-year-old US state assemblyman and democratic socialist, has declared victory in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, putting him on track to become the city's first Indian-American and Muslim mayor.
His main challenger, former governor
Andrew Cuomo
, conceded the race Tuesday night in what many observers have called a major upset, according to western media reports.
Though the final outcome will depend on New York City's ranked choice vote tallying process, Mamdani currently holds a commanding lead.
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Unofficial results from the
New York City Board of Elections
show that Mamdani outpaced Cuomo not only in first-choice ballots but also significantly outperformed him in second-choice rankings — an advantage that may prove decisive in the multi-round count.
'Tonight, we made history,' Mamdani told supporters. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he added, 'It always seems impossible until it is done. My friends, we have done it.'
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Cuomo, who had launched a comeback bid following his 2021 resignation amid sexual harassment allegations, told his supporters that he had called Mamdani to congratulate him. 'Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won,' Cuomo said.
While incumbent Mayor Eric Adams opted out of the Democratic primary to run as an independent, he and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa remain on the ballot for the general election. Cuomo has also left the door open to continue his campaign in November, stating: 'We are going to take a look and make some decisions.'
If Mamdani's current advantage holds through the ranked choice count, he will face Adams and Sliwa in the general election to lead the largest city in the United States.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani is the son of Indian filmmaker
Mira Nair
and India-born Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani. He was born in Kampala, Uganda, and moved to New York City at the age of seven. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018 and married a Syrian artist earlier this year.
Mamdani holds a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College in Maine. Before entering politics, he worked as a foreclosure prevention counselor assisting low-income homeowners. According to his official New York Assembly profile, Mamdani also pursued creative work in rap and writing.
He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020. Since then, he has emerged as a leading voice in the city's progressive wing, advocating policies aimed at making New York more affordable. His campaign platform includes proposals such as free public buses, universal child care, new affordable housing, and a higher minimum wage — all to be funded through a 2% tax on the top 1% of earners.
Mamdani's campaign gained visibility through widespread grassroots mobilization and the viral popularity of his multilingual, culturally resonant videos — one of which featured Bollywood references and explanations of the
ranked choice voting
system in Hindi and Urdu.
If elected, Mamdani would be NYC's first Indian-American and Muslim mayor
Mamdani's likely victory would mark a historic milestone: he would be the first Indian-American and the first Muslim to serve as mayor of New York City. His ascent reflects a growing demographic and political shift in the city, long known for its diversity but rarely represented in high office by members of the South Asian or Muslim communities.
Endorsed by prominent national progressives such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mamdani's candidacy drew strong grassroots support, particularly among younger voters and immigrant communities.
Cuomo, by contrast, criticized Mamdani for lacking administrative experience and took aim at his positions on Israel and Palestine. Mamdani has denied accusations of antisemitism and emphasized his commitment to Jewish New Yorkers. Asked in a debate whether he would visit Israel if elected, Mamdani responded, 'As mayor, I will be standing up for Jewish New Yorkers and will be meeting them wherever they are across the five boroughs.'
Why Mamdani's win matters
Mamdani's primary win is being seen as a pivotal moment for the Democratic Party's progressive faction, especially during President Donald Trump's second term. His victory over a seasoned political heavyweight like Cuomo underscores a shift in voter priorities — from experience and establishment credentials to fresh messaging on affordability, equity, and grassroots engagement.
The win is also significant in light of the controversies surrounding his opponents. Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 after an official investigation found that he had sexually harassed multiple women.
Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adams has been facing scrutiny over alleged financial improprieties, though federal prosecutors have since dropped the case.
Throughout the campaign, Mamdani relied on small-dollar donations, an energised base of young volunteers, and a door-to-door ground game. Cuomo's campaign, by contrast, spent heavily on attack ads, reportedly raising over $25 million, including from donors affiliated with Republican interests.
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