Muslim candidate Mamdani gains ground in NYC mayoral race

Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a 33-year-old Queens state assemblyman born in Uganda to Indian-Muslim and academic roots, is mounting a bold run for New York City mayor, one that has quickly turned him into a leading progressive contender.

Now neck-and-neck with former Governor Andrew Cuomo ahead of the 24 June Democratic primary, Mamdani’s path, from Kampala to South Africa to New York, has shaped a campaign grounded in housing justice, transit equity, and Palestinian solidarity.

From Uganda to City Hall

Born in Kampala to a renowned academic father and filmmaker mother, Mamdani grew up witnessing displacement and inequality. His journey from South Africa and then New York, including turning down foreclosure as a counsellor, has shaped his campaign.

In the State Assembly, he led the fight to erase over $450 million in taxi medallion debt, championed fare-free buses, and co-founded Students for Justice in Palestine at Bowdoin College.

"Working‑class New Yorkers are being pushed out of the city they built," he once declared at a campaign street rally.

Mamdani’s political manifesto includes a freeze on more than 2.4 million rent‑stabilised units, free citywide buses, union‑built affordable housing, city-owned grocery stores, and universal pre-K. He has also pledged to tax corporations and slash university tax breaks, slicing $6 billion for childcare and $700 million for zero‑fare transit.

The policy pitch is steep, yet Mamdani counters fears of business exodus by pointing to tax parity with New Jersey.

AOC endorsement and BDS support 

Progressive luminaries have galvanised his momentum. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez appeared with him at the Puerto Rican Day Parade, while Rep. Nydia Velázquez joined his campaign team.

Senator Bernie Sanders’s possible endorsement is still looming and could reinforce his left‑wing support base. Recent polls show him trailing Cuomo narrowly in ranked‑choice simulations, 51–49 in one and 56–44 in another.

Meanwhile, Cuomo, endorsed by Bloomberg and backed by a $2.5 million landlord super PAC, leans on experience and establishment networks.

Mamdani’s Muslim identity and outspoken stance on Palestine have thrust identity politics to the centre stage. More than 60 Jewish leaders condemned State Senator John Liu for endorsing Mamdani, calling him anti‑Israel and accusing him of anti‑semitism.

The campaign rails over Israel’s war on blockaded Gaza, with Mamdani’s critique fanning debate: "Why do we find money to kill kids," he asked at a rally.

During a forum hosted by progressive Jewish groups on Sunday, Mamdani said he may not be allowed into Israel when asked whether he would continue a decades-old tradition of visiting Tel Aviv if elected. 

"I’m not even sure if I would be allowed to enter Israel," Mamdani said, pointing to legislation passed by the Knesset in 2017 that bars entry to foreigners who support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

"Because I think there’s legislation that prohibits the entry of anyone who supports that. So it is both a question for me, but also, were the answer to be different, I think the result would be the same."

While Mamdani has not called for New York City itself to join the BDS movement, his history of support has become a flashpoint in the campaign.

"At the core of my politics is the belief in nonviolence. And having seen the efficacy of nonviolent movements in creating compliance with international law, specifically with South Africa, that’s what brought me to support BDS," he said.

If elected, Mamdani would be the city’s first Muslim mayor, and the first to bring a deeply progressive, openly pro-Palestinian stance into the five boroughs' top job.