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A boy from Uganda, Zohran Mamdani, has shocked many by becoming the mayor of New York City at just 34 years old. He’s a democratic socialist, the first Muslim and South Asian to hold such a position in the city’s history.
Before his surprising victory, Mamdani was not widely known, having secured the Democratic nomination over former governor Andrew Cuomo and beat him again in the recent election.
Unlike his opponents, Mamdani prioritized lowering living costs for everyday New Yorkers. He gained support through his informal and relatable style, often sharing casual videos on social media where he walks through neighborhoods chatting with voters.
Born to a filmmaker mother and a scholar father, Mamdani moved to New York when he was seven. He went to Bronx High School of Science and later graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in Africana Studies. During college, he co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.
At age 12, Mamdani already showed leadership potential when he won his first election — a mock mayoral contest at his elementary school, Bank Street School for Children. Participating as a third-party candidate since he was only in seventh grade, he emerged victorious over other students.
His childhood was filled with a mix of subway rides, football games, rapping, and political discussions.
Before stepping into politics, Mamdani worked as a housing counselor, helping low-income homeowners in Queens fight eviction.
In his personal life, Mamdani met his wife, Rama Duwaji, a 27-year-old Syrian-American animator and illustrator, on the dating app Hinge in 2021. He credits her with helping him improve his social media skills.
Motivated by Bernie Sanders and his socialist ideals, Mamdani launched his campaign for mayor with a fresh perspective. He used both door-to-door campaigning and social media to connect with voters, sharing friendly clips of himself walking neighborhoods and engaging with residents.
On Election Day, he stood outside a polling site in Queens, the borough where he previously defended tenants’ rights, and cast his vote for NYC’s next mayor. Ultimately, Mamdani secured the victory, soaring from relative obscurity to a prominent Democratic figure, and celebrated on stage with his mother after winning the race.
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