Who is Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani? Meet Mira Nayar's son and New York's mayor-in-waiting
A 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, secured the Democratic nomination and the mayoralty of New York City on Tuesday night, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo in a closely watched ranked-choice primary.
With 89% of precincts reporting in the hour after polls closed at 9 pm on Tuesday (local time) , 44% ranked Mamdani as their first choice while 36% chose Cuomo first, and 11% city Comptroller Brad Lander.
Andrew Cuomo conceded to him Tuesday night following the first round of ranked-choice primary votes.
Born to Indian-origin parents, Mamdani's early life
Born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian-origin parents Mira Nair, an acclaimed Indian‑American filmmaker known for her works such as 'Salaam Bombay!' and 'Monsoon Wedding', and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, an Indian‑born Ugandan academician.
He spent ehis arly childhood years in Cape Town, attending St George's Grammar School, before moving to New York at age seven. He later graduated from Bank Street School of Children and the Bronx High School of Science, earning a bachelor's degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College in 2014.
During his college years, Mamdani co-founded Students for Justice in Palestine. He volunteered for Khader El-Yateem's 2017 City Council bid, managed Ross Barkan's State Senate campaign, and organised for Tiffany Caban's Queens District Attorney run.
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His platform and identity attracted large numbers of younger, left-leaning voters, positioning him against Cuomo's moderate support base.
Mamdani, a practising Shia Muslim, married Syrian artist Rama Duwaji earlier this year. Duwaji's illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker and The Washington Post.
In 2019, Mamdani won a seat in the New York State Assembly from the 36th District, covering Astoria and Long Island City. His tenure there focused on housing, transit affordability, and immigrant rights, laying the groundwork for his citywide run.
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