Islamabad, June 25, 2025: Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state lawmaker, has captivated New York City with a unique campaign style. This approach created significant buzz, propelling him to a surprising victory in the Democratic mayoral primary. He appears set to become the city’s first Muslim mayor, challenging former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Born in Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York City when he was seven years old. He is the son of famous Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and renowned Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani.
At 33, Mamdani serves as a three-term representative for Assembly District 36 in the New York State Assembly. He is the first South Asian man and Ugandan to serve in the assembly. He is also the third Muslim person to do so. Before politics, Mamdani worked as a housing counselor, helping prevent foreclosures
Social Media Savvy Campaign and Grassroots Power
Mamdani has brought a distinctly new style to political campaigning. He skillfully uses his social media knowledge to connect with voters, a strategy that has especially resonated with the desi diaspora worldwide.
While many politicians are still learning TikTok, Mamdani has mastered current trends. During his campaign, he educated New Yorkers about the voting process in Urdu, utilizing his multilingual skills. He even took a cold plunge into the Atlantic Ocean as a creative way to highlight his proposals for a rent freeze for millions of New Yorkers
He used an inventive and modern engagement campaign. During his campaign, he educated New Yorkers about voting in Urdu, using his multilingual skills.
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His campaign is a masterclass in modern engagement. From appearing on diverse podcasts to creating raw, relatable viral videos, Mamdani’s digital strategy is exceptionally strong.
Instead of relying on typical polished political ads, he offered authentic glimpses of a campaign genuinely connected to everyday people.
This savvy digital approach not only boosted his profile but also supercharged his fundraising, proving that grassroots enthusiasm can powerfully challenge candidates with deep pockets.
Mamdani walked the entire length of Manhattan just before the primary election, stopping for selfies with New Yorkers. This energetic and shareable campaigning has won hearts across the city. It has also deeply resonated with the desi diaspora globally, who are cheering on his innovative journey.
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He even composed a rap song about his grandmother for his campaign. Zohran’s campaign is powered by thousands of volunteers and many unique donors. A supporter, Lokmani Rai, added, “He understands us. He belongs to us. He’s from our community, you know, the immigrant community.
Primary Victory and Political Shift
Mamdani’s innovative approach translated into significant primary success. On June 23, Mamdani notably surpassed Cuomo on Polymarket, a prediction market. This signaled a tightening race where the lead fluctuated between the two candidates on the final voting day, June 24. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, conceded the race and congratulated Mamdani on his win. Mamdani held a significant lead with 43.5% of votes, compared to Cuomo’s 36.4%, with nearly 95% of ballots reported
Early voting saw a significant increase in turnout, with 384,338 votes cast in 2025 compared to 191,197 in 2021. Analysts believe this trend favors Mamdani’s campaign. The final result will be confirmed next week due to New York’s ranked-choice system. However, Mamdani’s lead seems too large for any other candidate to overcome, especially since Brad Lander, who finished third, encouraged his supporters to rank Mamdani second.
This race was seen as an early sign of the direction Democrats believe their party should take. This comes five months into Republican President Donald Trump’s second term. The differences were clear: Cuomo represented the moderate establishment, while Mamdani was a progressive newcomer who promised a break from the past.
