Zohran Mamdani, a 34- year - old democratic socialist, won the New York City mayoral race on Tuesday 04 November, 2025, becoming the first Muslim mayor of the largest U.S. city.

He defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary.

Voter participation in New York City was strong, with over 2 million ballots submitted, including early votes, the highest in a mayoral election since 1969.

Zohran was born in 1991 to father Mahmood Mamdani, a professor, and mother Mira Nair, a renowned filmmaker. Zohran was raised in Uganda and South Africa before his family moved to New York City in 1999.

His childhood, surrounded by activism and creativity , profoundly influenced his political beliefs.

Zohran often attended rallies and marches with his parents as a child, including protests against the Iraq War and lectures on Marxism.

Mira Nair:

She is, a Harvard graduate, is renowned for telling South Asian and Indian stories. Her debut film, Salaam Bombay, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

Mahmood Mamdani:

Mahmood Mamdani, a professor of international affairs, anthropology, and government at Columbia University, has spent decades studying postcolonialism, and human rights. His academic career includes teaching in Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa before joining Columbia in 1999.

Zohran’s political awareness is linked to his father’s education and advocacy, including his pro-Palestinian stance , which Zohran echoes in his platform.

How Zohran became a leader:

Zohran describes his childhood as “ very privileged” but recognizes it was unlike the reality for most New Yorkers. 

By combining his mother’s creative storytelling with his father's social consciousness, Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a visible Democratic figure with a message for all New Yorkers.