{"id":27773,"date":"2025-11-04T02:56:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T02:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/27773\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T02:56:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T02:56:12","slug":"everything-to-know-about-zohran-mamdani","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/27773\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything to know about Zohran Mamdani"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"One-on-one One-on-one with Zohran Mamdani | Politics Unusual<\/a> <\/p>\n

FOX 5 NY’s political reporter Morgan McKay speaks with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani about his policy proposals, his plans to keep NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Mayor Eric Adams recent endorsement of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.<\/p>\n

NEW YORK – With Election Day<\/a> here, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani stands at the threshold of history, poised to reshape the country’s largest city.<\/p>\n

The democratic socialist, who shocked the city\u2019s political establishment<\/a> with his primary victory, has held his frontrunner status in nearly every poll since.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His rapid rise reflects a generational shift in New York City politics driven by grassroots organizing and an energized base of young voters.<\/p>\n

SKIP TO: POLLS<\/a> | FAMILY <\/a>| PLATFORM<\/a> | DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM<\/a><\/p>\n

Mamdani has built his campaign around affordable housing, free childcare, and fare-free public transit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here’s everything to know about the front-runner.\u00a0<\/p>\n

FOX 5 NY is your home on Election Night. Bookmark our Election Results page<\/a> to track in real-time, and tune into our Election Night coverage live right here on fox5ny.com<\/a> and FOX LOCAL New York<\/a> as the night unfolds. Coverage begins at 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

By the numbers:<\/p>\n

The vast majority of polls reveal that the odds seem to be stacked in the Democratic Socialist’s favor:<\/p>\n

Fox News: The poll<\/a>, conducted between Oct. 24\u201328, shows Mamdani at 47%, Cuomo at 31% and Sliwa at 15%.Emerson College Polling\/PIX11\/The Hill: The poll<\/a>, conducted between Oct. 25-27, found Mamdani with a 25-point lead over Cuomo \u2013 50% to 25% \u2013 with 21% support for Sliwa; 4% were undecided.Marist Poll: The poll<\/a>, conducted between Oct. 24\u201328, shows Mamdani at 48%, Cuomo at 32%, Sliwa at 16% and 3% undecided. \"NYC <\/p>\n

The backstory:<\/p>\n

The 34-year-old Astoria, Queens assemblyman and self-declared Democratic Socialist was born in Kampala, Uganda on October 18, 1991.<\/p>\n

He reportedly moved to New York City at age seven.<\/p>\n

According to the Associated Press, he became naturalized as an American citizen a few years after graduating from Bowdoin College, where he co-started his school\u2019s first Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Mamdani’s parents \"\" <\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 9: Mahmood Mamdani and Mira Nair attend Rolex Arts Weekend 2022 at The Brooklyn Academy Of Music – Celebration In Honour Of The Mentors And Prot\u00e9g\u00e9s Of The 2020-2022 Rolex Mentoring Programme on September 9, 2022 in New York, <\/p>\n

Zohran Mamdani is the son of two well-known public figures in film and academia.<\/p>\n

His mother, Mira Nair,<\/a> is an Indian-born, Harvard-educated filmmaker based in New York City.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She is known for directing films such as “Monsoon Wedding,”<\/a> “Mississippi Masala,” “The Namesake” and “Salaam Bombay!” which was nominated for an Academy Award for best foreign language film.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition to her film work, Nair founded the Maisha Film Lab in Kampala, Uganda,<\/a> which trains young directors in East Africa. She also created the Salaam Baalak Trust, a nonprofit that works with street children in India.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 24: (L-R) New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) stands with his mother Mira Nair, and father Mahmood Mamdani as they celebrate during an election night gathering at The Greats of Craft LIC on June 24, <\/p>\n

His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a Ugandan academic and political scientist of Indian descent.<\/p>\n

He is a professor at Columbia University<\/a>, where he teaches government, anthropology and African studies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mamdani has written extensively on African politics and post-colonial governance. He previously led the Makerere Institute of Social Research in Uganda and currently serves as chancellor of Kampala International University.<\/p>\n

The two met in 1988 in Uganda while Nair was conducting research for her film “Mississippi Masala.” \u00a0<\/p>\n

Mamdani’s wife Rama Duwaji \"\" <\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 24: New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) kisses the hand of his wife Rama Duwaji as they celebrate during an election night gathering at The Greats of Craft LIC on June 24, 2025 in the Long Island Cit <\/p>\n

Zohran Mamdani is married to Rama Duwaji<\/a>, a Syrian illustrator and animator who lives in Brooklyn.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her work focuses on themes like sisterhood and community, and she\u2019s collaborated with major outlets, including The New Yorker, The Washington Post, BBC, Apple, and Spotify. In addition to digital art, she also makes hand-built ceramics.<\/p>\n

The couple reportedly got married in May. According to the Mamdani campaign, they celebrated their engagement with a small family gathering in Dubai, where Duwaji\u2019s family lives, before having a civil ceremony in New York City.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After facing online criticism<\/a> over the cost of their celebration, Mamdani addressed the situation on Instagram, posting wedding photos and writing, “I usually brush it off, whether it\u2019s death threats or calls for me to be deported. But it\u2019s different when it\u2019s about those you love.” He added, “Three months ago, I married the love of my life\u2026 now, right-wing trolls are trying to make this race \u2014 which should be about you \u2014 about her.”<\/p>\n

Mamdani’s political rise \"\" <\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 26: New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani, center, celebrates with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), left, and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), right, during an election rally on October 26, 2025 at Forest Hills S <\/p>\n

Mamdani\u2019s political rise is driven by his grassroots organizing, progressive values, and ability to connect with younger voters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Known for his strong social media presence and activist background, he has built a platform centered on equity and community empowerment, making him a formidable candidate in the mayoral race.<\/p>\n

His campaign has gained support<\/a> from well-known progressive leaders like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, highlighting a growing move toward progressive politics in the city.<\/p>\n

See more of Mamdani’s endorsements here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Democratic socialism is a political and economic philosophy<\/a> that combines democracy with social ownership of key parts of the economy. It focuses on giving people more control over their workplaces and the economy, aiming for fairness, equality, and solidarity.<\/p>\n

Unlike capitalism, democratic socialists believe that real freedom and equality can only happen in a socialist system where the economy serves the people, not just private profit.<\/p>\n

Mamdani\u2019s campaign prioritizes addressing New York City\u2019s housing crisis with rent freezes and affordable housing initiatives. He advocates for fare-free bus rides to improve public transit access and proposes no-cost childcare to support working families.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On public safety, Mamdani plans to create a Department of Community Safety focused on violence prevention, while maintaining current police staffing levels.<\/p>\n

If elected, Mamdani would become New York City\u2019s first Muslim and first Indian-American mayor.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His campaign symbolizes a new generation of leadership and represents a historic milestone in the city\u2019s diverse political landscape.<\/p>\n

Mamdani\u2019s message of economic fairness and social justice resonates with many voters seeking change. His rise reflects growing support for democratic socialist ideas in America\u2019s largest city.<\/p>\n

\"One-on-one One-on-one with Zohran Mamdani | Politics Unusual<\/a> <\/p>\n

FOX 5 NY’s political reporter Morgan McKay speaks with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani about his policy proposals, his plans to keep NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Mayor Eric Adams recent endorsement of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.<\/p>\n

Affordability and Housing <\/p>\n

Mamdani says his top priority is tackling New York City\u2019s affordability crisis, with a particular focus on housing. One of his first actions as mayor, he says, would be to restructure the city\u2019s Rent Guidelines Board, the body responsible for setting rent increases on more than two million rent-stabilized apartments.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s criticized current Mayor Eric Adams for appointing members who “have raised rents every single year,” arguing that his administration would take the opposite approach. “The top affordability issue for New Yorkers is housing,” Mamdani said. “They feel it every single day.”<\/p>\n

Beyond rent stabilization, Mamdani wants to dramatically expand the city\u2019s housing supply, calling for both the private and public sectors to “build immediately affordable housing.”<\/p>\n

Public Safety and the NYPD <\/p>\n

Mamdani has said he would retain current NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch if elected, citing her efforts to “deliver accountability, root out corruption and reduce crime across five boroughs.” While the two diverge on issues like bail reform \u2014 which Mamdani supports and Tisch opposes \u2014 he has stated that keeping her on aligns with his goal of advancing reform without compromising his platform.<\/p>\n

Free Public Transit <\/p>\n

A centerpiece of Mamdani\u2019s campaign is his plan to make all city buses free, arguing that fare-free service would increase ridership, relieve financial strain on working families, and even improve public safety. “What you\u2019ll hear from bus drivers is that a significant portion of the assaults they face is due to the presence of the fare box,” he said. His campaign has also launched a “Costs Saved” calculator to show how much residents could save through free buses, universal childcare, and a rent freeze.<\/p>\n

Improving Daily Life <\/p>\n

Mamdani has also pledged to address quality-of-life issues that affect New Yorkers every day \u2014 starting with the city\u2019s overabundance of sidewalk sheds. A 2023 report found more than 8,500 active sheds spanning 380 miles across the five boroughs, with some in place for years.<\/p>\n

His four-step plan includes:<\/p>\n

Removing all sheds on city properties that have been up for over three yearsExtending building inspection timelines from five to ten yearsIncentivizing faster shed removalsImplementing safer, brighter scaffolding design standards Endorsements \"Hochul Hochul endorses Mamdani in NYC mayor’s race<\/a> <\/p>\n

In a guest essay published in The New York Times, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul formally endorsed Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani in NYC’s mayor’s race. FOX 5 NY’s Meredith Gorman has the story.<\/p>\n

His campaign has gained support from well-known progressive leaders like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as major local figures including New York Governor Kathy Hochul.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also secured the backing of the city\u2019s largest municipal union, District Council 37, further cementing his status as the progressive favorite in the race and underscoring the broad coalition powering his campaign.<\/p>\n

Trump’s thoughts on Mamdani \"Trump Trump on NYC mayor\u2019s race: ‘He\u2019s my little communist mayor’<\/a> <\/p>\n

“I call him my little communist\u2026 it would look like he\u2019s going to win, and that\u2019s a rebellion,” Trump said on Fox & Friends. His comments come as Mayor Eric Adams doubles down on staying in the race and Andrew Cuomo sharpens his attacks on rivals. FOx 5 NY’s Morgan McKay has the latest.<\/p>\n

In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump referred to Zohran Mamdani as a “Communist” and claimed New York City would face “economic and social disaster” under his leadership.<\/p>\n

Trump said he would provide only the “bare minimum” federal assistance required by law if Mamdani were elected, writing, “It can only get worse with a Communist at the helm,” and that he didn\u2019t want to “send good money after bad.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

He went on to urge New Yorkers to back Andrew Cuomo, saying they “really have no choice” but to vote for him, while dismissing Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa as a spoiler whose support would only help Mamdani.<\/p>\n

How to vote in NYC <\/p>\n

Election Day,<\/a> is Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.<\/p>\n

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. across the five boroughs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Voters can confirm their polling place by visiting the New York City Board of Elections website.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Source: This article includes reporting from the Associated Press, The New York Times and FOX 5 NY.<\/p>\n

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