New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani has officially launched his campaign for the 2025 New York City mayoral race. At just 33 years old, the politician, who was born in Uganda and raised in New York City, is the son of notable filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani. As a member of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, he emerges as the youngest and most left-oriented candidate challenging Mayor Eric Adams, who faces federal corruption charges.
In a video announcing his candidacy, Mamdani expressed concerns about the displacement of working-class residents from the city they helped to build. He criticized politicians like Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo for creating a difficult living environment and suggested they prioritize their donors over the public. His platform includes proposals such as making public buses “fast and free,” providing accessible childcare at no cost, and eliminating rent for stabilized tenants.
Mamdani’s progressive stance distinguishes him from Mayor Adams, a centrist, as well as from other declared candidates like NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, and State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos. Elected in 2020 as part of a progressive movement, Mamdani made history as the first South Asian American and third Muslim American to serve in the New York Assembly, representing diverse neighborhoods in Queens.
His campaign slogan, “Roti and Roses,” reflects the immigrant experience, a nod to the socialist chant “Bread and Roses.” Throughout his tenure, Mamdani has championed housing rights and fought for working-class issues, participating in hunger strikes for debt relief and advocating for increased subway services.
Mamdani has called for Mayor Adams’s resignation, citing a pattern of failure to support New Yorkers long before the indictment. He highlighted the pressing issue of the city’s affordability crisis and noted that while City Hall is engulfed in corruption, the public is primarily concerned with the high cost of living.
Proud of his socialist identity, Mamdani plans to focus on local economic issues while addressing broader concerns, such as the U.S. funding for Israel amidst the Palestinian crisis. He introduced the “Not on Our Dime” Act last year to limit financial aid for Israeli settlements, gaining support from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, though the bill did not pass.
Despite being a late entrant into the race, Mamdani has already secured endorsements from several progressive organizations and raised over $139,000 from numerous donors within the first day of his campaign launch. His recent formation of a campaign committee indicates a strong commitment to rapidly expanding his visibility and fundraising efforts.
Mamdani, who moved to the U.S. at age 7, is a product of the NYC Public School System and holds a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College. His early life included exposure to the film industry, where he contributed to his mother’s 2016 film “Queen of Katwe” as a producer and musician.
Initially drawn to the arts, Mamdani’s involvement in progressive politics began when he volunteered for various electoral campaigns. He credits his music background for preparing him for the political landscape, especially when it comes to garnering public support. Through his experiences in organizing and advocacy, he has continuously worked towards uplifting marginalized communities and addressing social injustices.
