Zohran Mamdani is a 33-year-old New York State Assembly member from Astoria, Queens (Assembly District 36), the son of the academic Mahmood Mamdani and the movie director Mira Nair. Following a short-lived career as a rap musician, he emerged as a leading candidate in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary in 2025, running as a Democratic Socialist with a sweepingly left-wing platform. Mamdani’s campaign focused on economic policies: he vowed to freeze rents, establish city-run grocery stores, expand free childcare and transit, push a US$30 minimum wage, and replace traditional policing with a “Department of Community Safety.” 

Mamdani quickly garnered support from prominent progressive figures and organisations. Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed him with the explicit aim of blocking former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s comeback bid. Cuomo, who entered the mayoral race following his 2021 resignation as governor, is Mamdani’s chief rival. Mamdani was also backed by the Democratic Socialists of America and allied leftist groups; US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also lent him her support. Meanwhile, the Democratic establishment coalesced behind Cuomo: Michael Bloomberg endorsed the ex-governor, as did many labour unions and centrist Democrats.