“I am Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.”
That’s how Zohran Mamdani, Ugandan-born, Indian-American, Muslim, and socialist, introduces himself. And now, he’s taking that energy into the race for New York City mayor.
But why would he say that?
Because Zohran is everything Trump’s politics fear, and everything it fights against. He’s the son of immigrants, proudly Muslim, openly socialist, and unapologetically aligned with movements for racial, economic, and global justice. He doesn’t just resist Trump-era ideologies; he represents their exact opposite: tenants over landlords, ceasefires over endless wars, and working-class organizing over billionaire control.
As a State Assembly Member, Zohran fought for Good Cause Eviction, fare-free transit, and a ceasefire in Gaza, often clashing with the political establishment. Now, as a mayoral candidate, he’s running to lower the cost of living for working-class New Yorkers, challenging the real estate developers and billionaires who have turned the city into a playground for the rich.
In a city where the gap between the rich and poor keeps growing, Mamdani isn’t just speaking out, he’s working to create real change. And that’s exactly what unsettles the Trump establishment—not just that he challenges their politics, but that he does it as a proudly immigrant, Muslim, working-class New Yorker who refuses to play it safe.
What is this election all about?
New York City is preparing for a critical political transition in the 2025 mayoral election. But before voters head to the polls in November, the race begins with the Democratic primary, scheduled for June 24, 2025. In a city dominated by Democratic voters, the outcome of the primary often determines the next mayor.
This year, the Democratic primary has become a fiercely contested race. While several candidates are in the running, the spotlight has settled on three key figures:
Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, now seeking a comeback
Zohran Mamdani, a progressive state assembly member from Queens
Yvette Clarke, a veteran congresswoman with a strong base in Brooklyn’s Caribbean-American community.
The frontrunners: Cuomo vs. Mamdani
At the center of the race are two candidates who represent opposite ends of the political spectrum, not in party affiliation, but in ideology and approach.
Andrew Cuomo, 67, is a seasoned political figure who previously served as governor, attorney general, and U.S. housing secretary. Forced to resign in 2021 following sexual harassment allegations, Cuomo is now attempting a political revival, campaigning on governance, mental health, and combating anti-Semitism.
Zohran Mamdani, 33, offers a stark contrast. A State Assembly member since 2021 and the son of Ugandan-Indian immigrants, Mamdani is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America and is running on a progressive platform that includes rent freezes, free public buses, and city-owned grocery stores. His campaign is powered by grassroots volunteers and small-dollar donors, making him a rare left-wing contender with growing mainstream appeal.
When will the election take place?
The final Democratic debate took place on June 12, with early voting beginning on June 14. The Democratic primary, the most decisive phase of the race so far, is set for June 24. The winner will advance to the general election on November 4, where they will face candidates from other parties. These include incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is now running as an independent following a tenure marred by scandals and investigations, and Curtis Sliwa, the sole Republican contender.
What is ranked-choice voting?
In New York City’s local elections, voters can rank up to five candidates in order of preference using the ranked-choice voting system. During the initial count, only first-choice votes are considered. If no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Their supporters’ votes are then redistributed based on their next preference. This process continues in rounds until a candidate crosses the majority threshold.
What do the polls say?
Recent polls show Andrew Cuomo leading the Democratic field. A survey by Emerson College last week put him at 35.1 percent as voters’ first choice, followed by Zohran Mamdani at 22.7 percent, and Brad Lander at 10.5 percent. While Mamdani trails Cuomo, his momentum has been striking, jumping from just 1 percent in February to over 20 percent now. With New York’s ranked-choice voting system in play, Mamdani could still win by consolidating support from voters who oppose Cuomo in the later rounds of vote counting.
Why has Israel–Palestine become a central issue in the race?
While the next mayor of New York City will have no direct influence over U.S. foreign policy or military aid to Israel, the war on Gaza has emerged as a defining issue in the 2025 mayoral race.
Zohran Mamdani has been one of the most vocal supporters of Palestinian rights in city politics. In November 2023, he joined a hunger strike outside the White House demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. His stance has drawn intense backlash from pro-Israel figures. Earlier this week, Republican City Council member Vickie Paladino went as far as calling for Mamdani’s deportation, despite his U.S. citizenship. She later defended her remarks by questioning whether Mamdani would have qualified for citizenship under current rules, citing his support for pro-Palestine groups.
Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, has framed himself as a staunch ally of Israel, sharply criticizing Mamdani and others for what he calls anti-Israel rhetoric. In April, he stated, “It’s very simple: anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism.” His campaign has been supported by major pro-Israel donors, including a $250,000 contribution from billionaire Bill Ackman to the pro-Cuomo PAC Fix the City, according to the city’s Campaign Finance Board.
The conflict has deeply resonated in New York, especially following mass student protests at Columbia University and across the city, where anger over U.S. support for Israel’s assault on Gaza, which has killed more than 54,600 Palestinians, continues to grow. For many voters, a candidate’s stance on Palestine has become a litmus test, reflecting broader ideological divides within the Democratic Party.
Closing
As the race for City Hall intensifies, Zohran Mamdani’s candidacy is reshaping what’s possible in New York politics. Whether he wins or not, his presence signals a growing demand for bold, grassroots-driven leadership in a city long dominated by the political establishment.