New York City’s mayoral race has seen an unexpected turn with State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, emerging as a significant contender for the Democratic nomination, challenging the once-presumed front-runner, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Mamdani’s ascent has been marked by a strong progressive platform and robust grassroots support, hinting at a potential shift in the city’s political landscape.
On June 23, Mamdani notably surpassed Cuomo on Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based prediction market, signalling a tightening race that saw the lead fluctuate between the two candidates on the final day of voting, June 24.
Early voting, which concluded prior to the final day, saw a substantial increase in turnout compared to previous elections, with 384,338 votes cast in 2025 compared to 191,197 in 2021, a trend that some analysts believe favours Mamdani.
But how did a young Democrat manage to sway an entire US state?
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Born in Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York City at the age of seven. He is the son of acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and renowned Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani.
At 33 years old, Mamdani currently serves as the three-term representative for Assembly District 36 in the New York State Assembly.
He holds the distinction of being the first South Asian man and Ugandan to serve in the assembly and is the third Muslim person to do so. Prior to his political career, Mamdani worked as a foreclosure-prevention housing counsellor.
Social media savvy
Forget stuffy press conferences and endless policy jargon because Mamdani took a splash in the Atlantic to spice up his campaign in New York City’s mayoral race.
This millennial candidate isn’t just running for office; he’s crafting a whole new vibe for political campaigning, and it’s striking a chord with voters, especially the desi diaspora, worldwide.
While some politicians are still figuring out TikTok, Mamdani has been riding the wave of today’s trends like a seasoned pro.
As part of his campaign, he used his multilingual skills to educate New Yorkers about the voting process — in Urdu.
He once took a chilly plunge into the Atlantic Ocean in a creative, attention-grabbing way to highlight his proposals for a rent freeze for millions of New Yorkers.
His campaign has been a masterclass in modern engagement. From popping up on podcasts of all stripes to creating raw, relatable videos that have gone viral, Mamdani’s social media game is strong.
Instead of using the typical polished, disconnected political ads to campaign for himself, Mamdani gave New Yorkers authentic glimpses into a campaign that feels genuinely connected to everyday people.
‘People’s mayor’
Mamdani has used a savvy digital strategy that has not only boosted his profile but also supercharged his fundraising, proving that grassroots enthusiasm can challenge deep pockets.
Just days before the primary, Mamdani undertook an epic summer evening stroll, walking the entire length of Manhattan and stopping for selfies with New Yorkers along the way.
Mamdani’s energetic, hands-on, and highly shareable campaigning has allowed Mamdani to not only win hearts across the city but also resonate deeply with the desi diaspora across the globe, who are cheering on his innovative journey.
He once made a rap song about his grandmother and shared it on social media for his campaign.
“Zohran is powered by tens of thousands of volunteers, [and] hundreds of thousands of unique donors. It’s very rare to see a local Democratic primary New York campaign with this much amount of volunteer and grassroots excitement,” he said.
“He understand[s] us. He belong[s] to us. He’s from our community, you know, the immigrant community,” added supporter Lokmani Rai.
