Zohran Mamdani is making waves in New York politics. After winning the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City, he is now one step closer to leading the largest city in the U.S. At just 33 years old, and with open support for democratic socialism, Mamdani’s rapid rise is sparking curiosity and, for some, controversy.
You might not know much about him yet, but with the spotlight now firmly on his campaign, it is a good time to understand who Zohran Mamdani is, what he stands for, and how he pulled off a primary win that surprised a lot of people.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani is currently a New York State Assemblyman representing parts of Queens. He first gained attention in 2020 when he defeated a longtime incumbent to win his seat. Since then, Mamdani has become known for his progressive stance on issues like housing, public transit, and immigrant rights.
Here are a few quick facts about him:
- Born in Uganda and raised in New York City
- Son of an academic and award-winning filmmaker
- Graduate of Bowdoin College
- Worked as a housing counselor before politics
- Member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
Mamdani has never been a traditional politician. He refuses donations from corporations and developers, and he regularly shows up at tenant meetings, union picket lines, and grassroots events. For many voters, that is exactly what makes him stand out.
What does Mamdani stand for?
Mamdani’s platform centers around bold, progressive ideas that aim to change how the city serves its people — especially the working class.
Here is what he is focusing on:
- Expanding affordable housing and fighting evictions
- Increasing public transportation funding
- Raising taxes on the ultra-wealthy
- Expanding protections for immigrant communities
- Pushing for universal healthcare at the city level
He has said his campaign is about “governing for the many, not the few.” That message seems to be resonating with a wide range of voters, especially younger residents who feel left out of the political process.
How did Zohran Mamdani perform in the Democratic primary?
Mamdani was the frontrunner in a crowded field of Democratic candidates. He earned over 43% of the vote — more than any other candidate — though not quite enough to win outright without ranked choice voting.
Here is a look at the primary results:
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage |
| Zohran Mamdani | Democrat | 432,305 | 43.5% |
| Andrew Cuomo | Democrat | 361,840 | 36.4% |
| Brad Lander | Democrat | 112,349 | 11.3% |
| Adrienne Adams | Democrat | 40,953 | 4.1% |
| Scott Stringer | Democrat | 16,387 | 1.6% |
| Zellnor Myrie | Democrat | 9,870 | 1.0% |
| Whitney Tilson | Democrat | 7,828 | 0.8% |
| Michael Blake | Democrat | 3,992 | 0.4% |
| Jessica Ramos | Democrat | 3,862 | 0.4% |
| Paperboy Prince | Democrat | 1,417 | 0.1% |
| Total Write-Ins | Democrat | 1,415 | 0.1% |
| Selma Bartholomew | Democrat | 1,328 | 0.1% |
Even though Mamdani did not hit the 50% mark, he confidently told his supporters, “I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City.”
What is next with ranked choice voting?
Since no one received over 50% of the first-choice votes, ranked choice voting will now determine the final outcome. This system lets voters rank their top five candidates. If no one wins a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the next choice.
This process continues until one candidate gets over 50%.
Right now, Mamdani holds the strongest position, but the next few weeks will decide whether he officially becomes the Democratic nominee — and potentially the next mayor of New York City.
