What Makes Zohran Mamdani, New York Mayor Candidate So Appealing To Voters
Zohran Mamdani has shaken up New York politics by winning the Democratic nomination for mayor. The 33-year-old Indian-origin assemblyman defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday.
"Tonight, we made history," he told supporters after his win. "I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City."
Powered by a bold, left-wing agenda and grassroots energy, here are five key pillars of his platform that have fuelled his rise:
Housing And Rent Reform
Housing is Zohran Mamdani's priority. He promises an immediate freeze on rent-stabilised units and stricter enforcement against negligent landlords. His boldest proposal is the creation of a Social Housing Development Agency to build 2 lakh publicly owned affordable homes over the next decade, funded by higher taxes on millionaires and large corporations.
"It's a city that is in danger of losing that which makes it so special," Mr Mamdani said at a BBC event.
For Working-Class New Yorkers
Zohran Mamdani has promised to make New York more affordable by taxing the rich. His fiscal plan includes a 2 per cent income tax on individuals earning over $1 million and increased corporate taxes, measures he says will raise $20 billion. These funds would be funnelled into universal childcare (starting from six weeks of age), free public college, fare-free public transit, and subsidised grocery stores in low-income areas. He has also called for a $30 minimum wage by 2030.
Free Public Transit And Climate Action
Mr Mamdani's transit plan is one of the most ambitious in recent history. He advocates making all Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) buses permanently free and freezing subway fares. He pairs this with a pro-climate transportation vision, i.e, congestion pricing, expanded bike lanes, and better cross-borough transit access to fight car dependency and reduce emissions.
Community-Centered Public Safety
Rejecting the traditional police-heavy approach to public safety, Mamdani proposes creating a new Department of Community Safety. This agency would focus on housing, mental health, and outreach rather than arrests and enforcement. He also calls for an 800 per cent increase in funding for anti-hate programs, specifically targeting Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Asian hate crimes.
Rights For Immigrants And LGBTQ+ Communities
As the son of Ugandan-Indian immigrants, Zohran Mamdani's platform puts immigrant and marginalised communities front and centre. He has pledged full sanctuary protections for undocumented New Yorkers, expanded legal aid and improved language access, particularly for Muslim and South Asian populations. He also champions expanded gender-affirming care, the creation of an LGBTQIA+ Affairs Office, and protections against discrimination.
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It was only when he was asked why he'd shaved off his beard I realised they meant Jim which led to much more laughter and wondering if Greek Australians and British Irishmen looked the same. I was a doctoral student when I met Jim and he set me the example of never talking down to people. He talked to everyone with respect and kindness. He had three sisters of whom he was very fond and he occasionally talked about growing up in Sydney of Greek heritage. He used to get me to try to say 'Dimitri' (his Greek name) correctly and laughed at my hopelessly romantic Hellenophilia. Jim certainly had the famous Greek xenophilia – love of foreign people and cultures, the opposite of xenophobia. He had many friends in India from royalty to the ordinary person. He wasn't interested in money or status at all and was happy to tramp around the streets although allowing himself more comfort in retirement. Jim was also extraordinarily hospitable at home, throwing parties and dinners for us, making our way to his kitchen through the books and papers that had spread from his study and were taking over his whole house. He always took time out when we visited to show us around Sydney, his other favourite city. Jim often worked with Jackie Menzies, the Head of the Asian Art at the Art Gallery Gallery of New South Wales, holding conferences there and leaving them most of his enormous collection of Indian artefacts. He was an immensely cultured man and loved art and cinema (though I never persuaded him to like 'Bollywood'). The four of us met several times in Australia and in London and ate at restaurants and drank good wine, creating lifelong memories. One time Jim, Michael and I went to a very fancy restaurant – then the most famous – in Sydney where Jim was allowed to bring some special bottles from his cellar. The waves at Bondi Beach were much louder than usual the next day. Jim had not been in good health for a while and was very ill over the last few months. I had hoped that I would get to see him one last time but it wasn't to be. Perhaps it's best to remember him as he was with his jhola and his cigarette, always smiling and full of great conversation. Eonia i mnimi – eternal memory.
