11 hours ago
Everything to know about Zohran Mamdani: Background, parents, platform
The Brief
Zohran Mamdani is set to be the Democratic candidate for NYC mayor after declaring victory in the primary.
His key policies include rent freezes, free bus rides, no-cost childcare, and creating a new community safety department.
If elected, Mamdani would be the city's first Muslim and first Indian-American mayor, marking a historic milestone.
NEW YORK - Queens State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, 33, quickly rose as a leading candidate in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary.
Running as a democratic socialist, he surprised many by declaring victory after the initial vote count.
Now, even though the final results won't be official until July 1, the campaign moves forward into the general election, signaling a clear shift toward a more progressive political landscape.
He surged into the spotlight overnight, leaving many asking — who exactly is Zohran Mamdani, and what does he stand for?
JUMP TO: History | Parents | Democratic Socialist | What's Next?
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York City at age seven.
According to the Associated Press, he became naturalized as an American citizen a few years after graduating from college, where he co-started his school's first Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.
Zohran Mamdani is the son of two well-known public figures in film and academia.
His mother, Mira Nair, is an Indian-born, Harvard-educated filmmaker based in New York City.
She is known for directing films such as "Monsoon Wedding," "Mississippi Masala," "The Namesake" and "Salaam Bombay!" which was nominated for an Academy Award for best foreign language film.
In addition to her film work, Nair founded the Maisha Film Lab in Kampala, Uganda, which trains young directors in East Africa. She also created the Salaam Baalak Trust, a nonprofit that works with street children in India.
His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a Ugandan academic and political scientist of Indian descent.
He is a professor at Columbia University, where he teaches government, anthropology and African studies.
Mamdani has written extensively on African politics and post-colonial governance. He previously led the Makerere Institute of Social Research in Uganda and currently serves as chancellor of Kampala International University.
The two met in 1988 in Uganda while Nair was conducting research for her film "Mississippi Masala."
Mamdani's political rise is driven by his grassroots organizing, progressive values, and ability to connect with younger voters.
Known for his strong social media presence and activist background, he has built a platform centered on equity and community empowerment, making him a formidable candidate in the mayoral race.
His campaign has gained support from well-known progressive leaders like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, highlighting a growing move toward progressive politics in the city.
See more of Mamdani's endorsements here.
Democratic socialism is a political and economic philosophy that combines democracy with social ownership of key parts of the economy. It focuses on giving people more control over their workplaces and the economy, aiming for fairness, equality, and solidarity.
Unlike capitalism, democratic socialists believe that real freedom and equality can only happen in a socialist system where the economy serves the people, not just private profit.
Mamdani's campaign prioritizes addressing New York City's housing crisis with rent freezes and affordable housing initiatives. He advocates for fare-free bus rides to improve public transit access and proposes no-cost childcare to support working families.
On public safety, Mamdani plans to create a Department of Community Safety focused on violence prevention, while maintaining current police staffing levels.
If elected, Mamdani would become New York City's first Muslim and first Indian-American mayor.
His campaign symbolizes a new generation of leadership and represents a historic milestone in the city's diverse political landscape.
Mamdani's message of economic fairness and social justice resonates with many voters seeking change. His rise reflects growing support for democratic socialist ideas in America's largest city.
The general election is set for November 4, 2025.
Zohran Mamdani will go up against incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, now running as an independent after leaving the Democratic primary, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and independent Jim Walden.
Given the city's strong Democratic base, Mamdani enters the race as a serious challenger.
