At 34 years previous, Astoria-based Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani made historical past by clinching the mayoral race, outpacing former Governor Andrew Cuomo within the November 2025 election, and motivating a brand new wave of younger voters. His platform — centered on lease management, free public transit and common childcare — drew nationwide consideration and positioned him as a daring challenger to the town’s political institution.
So, who’s Mayor Mamdani? Hollywood Life has rounded up 5 details about him under now that he’s formally New York’s mayor.
Zohran Mamdani Was Born in Uganda With Indian Descent
Born in Uganda and raised, partially, in Cape City, South Africa, Zohran’s household moved to New York Metropolis when he was 7 years previous.
Zohran Mamdani Labored as a Foreclosures Prevention Counselor
Earlier than stepping into politics, Zohran labored as a foreclosures prevention and housing counselor in Queens, New York, to help low-income households and householders of coloration who have been dealing with eviction.
Zohran Mamdani Has Produced Rap Music
Whereas juggling his political and public service profession in New York, Zohran additionally pursued one other ardour: rap music! Underneath a number of monikers, he composed and produced hip-hop songs. In 2016, he glided by the identify “Younger Cardamom” and collaborated with Ugandan rapper HAB on an EP. Three years later, Zohran launched a single titled “Nani” beneath the moniker “Mr. Cardamom.”
Zohran Mamdani Is Married to Rama Duwaji
In early 2025, Zohran married Rama Duwaji, a Syrian artist.
Zohran Mamdani Endorsed His Mayoral Opponent, Brad Lander
Through the Democratic main, Zohran and New York Metropolis comptroller Brad Lander aligned themselves as political allies. Each strongly opposed Andrew’s return to metropolis politics and even endorsed each other as a part of a joint effort to dam his path again to energy. Showing collectively on The Late Present with Stephen Colbert in June 2025, the 2 spoke about their shared imaginative and prescient for a “extra civilized future” in New York politics and vowed to help one another.
The race shortly grew heated within the closing weeks earlier than the first. In line with AMNY, Andrew accused Zohran of treating the mayor’s workplace as “a messenger’s job” and focusing solely on “public relations,” whereas Zohran fired again, charging Andrew with “weaponizing this very actual disaster and utilizing billionaire cash to spew hate.”
“He and different candidates have used phrases describing me as a monster as harmful as being on the gates, language that’s extra befitting of a beast than an individual,” Zohran claimed about Andrew.
