What to know about the NYC mayoral candidate : NPR

Zohran Mamdani is on track to secure the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, after emerging as the frontrunner in the city’s ranked-choice primary on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old state assemblymember and democratic socialist initially had low name recognition when he entered the crowded primary race last year. However, his popularity surged in recent months, thanks to grassroots efforts, viral videos, and policy proposals that resonated with younger and first-time voters.

“The surprising and unconventional nature of his victory has left everyone stunned,” says Patrick Egan, a professor of politics and public policy at New York University. “Moreover, his win represents a shift towards a progressive, left-wing platform that is unprecedented in New York.”

With 93% of precincts reporting, Mamdani secured 44% of the vote — the highest among the 11 candidates and significantly more than the 36% garnered by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was once considered the favorite. Cuomo conceded to Mamdani on Tuesday night but has not ruled out running as an independent in the general election in November.

The primary is not yet finalized: Votes for losing candidates will be redistributed to voters’ second-choice candidates until one contender surpasses the 50% threshold, a process slated to commence on July 1.

Despite the ongoing process, Mamdani’s substantial lead sends a strong message, prompting him to declare victory just after midnight.

“I am committed to serving all New Yorkers, regardless of their voting preferences, whether they supported me, Governor Cuomo, or chose not to participate in the political system,” Mamdani declared at his watch party in Long Island City. “I will advocate for a city that works for you, that is affordable for you, and that is safe for you.”

If Mamdani secures the primary, he will face various contenders in the November election, including Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, who ran unopposed in the primary, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who bypassed the Democratic primary by announcing his intent to seek re-election as an independent.

According to Gothamist, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by eight to one in New York City.

However, Mamdani’s rise was far from assured: With the assistance of tens of thousands of unpaid volunteers, the progressive politician mobilized young and first-time voters to achieve a stunning upset against the Democratic Party establishment in the nation’s largest city, with implications for the broader political landscape.

Seth Masket, a political science professor at the University of Denver, notes that many Democrats, both in New York City and nationally, are disillusioned with the party following the 2024 election defeat and in response to the Trump administration.

“There seems to be a trend across the country where Democratic voters are growing disenchanted with the party’s leadership and establishment,” says Masket. “They are seeking unconventional voices to lead them, particularly younger leaders. Mamdani fits that bill.”

Here are some key facts about him:

He would make history as mayor

If elected, Mamdani would be New York City’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest in over a century.

Mamdani, who will turn 34 in October, would share this distinction with John Purroy Mitchel — known as the “Boy Mayor” — who assumed office at the age of 34 in 1914.

Originally from Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani was raised by his parents Mahmood Mamdani, an academic, and Mira Nair, an Indian-American filmmaker known for movies like Mississippi Masala and Monsoon Wedding. The family relocated to New York City when Mamdani was seven, and he became a U.S. citizen in 2018.

In another first, Mamdani would be the city’s inaugural mayor to meet his spouse on a dating app. He shared this detail on The Bulwark, revealing that he wed Syrian animator and illustrator Rama Duwaji in a civil ceremony at the City Clerk’s office earlier this year.

He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020

After graduating from Bowdoin College with a degree in Africana Studies, Mamdani worked as a housing counselor specializing in foreclosure prevention in Queens. His experience in this role motivated him to enter politics.

“Having spent countless hours negotiating with profit-driven banks, he came to terms with the fact that the housing crisis was not a natural occurrence but a deliberate choice,” states Mamdani’s official biography.

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