Zohran Mamdani is now leading in the polls for the 2025 New York City mayor race. A new survey shows he is ahead of former governor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani has 52% support. Cuomo trails with 48%.
This rise is surprising to many. But to his supporters, it’s a clear sign that voters want change.
Who Is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani was born in Uganda in 1991. He moved to New York with his family. His mother is filmmaker Mira Nair. He grew up in Queens and later went to Bowdoin College.
In 2021, he became a state assembly member for District 36 in Queens. He is a democratic socialist and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Zohran Mamdani’s Big Plans for NYC
Zohran Mamdani is not your average politician. His plans are bold and clear:
- Make all bus rides in NYC free
- Freeze rent across the city
- Raise taxes on the rich
- Spend $65 million on trans healthcare, including for minors
These plans have gained strong support from young voters and working families.
Using Social Media to Reach Voters
Zohran Mamdani connects with people where they spend time—on their phones. His videos use Hindi, memes, and TikTok trends. He uses jokes and pop culture to reach younger voters.
His team even made campaign videos with Bollywood themes. These efforts helped him build strong support among South Asians and Muslims in New York.
He also went viral for doing fun challenges, like dumping ice on himself at Coney Island.
Zohran Mamdani vs. Andrew Cuomo
The race is now between Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo once led New York State. But scandals and time out of office have hurt his image.
Mamdani is young, fresh, and active in his community. Voters under 35 support him in big numbers. Many feel Cuomo is part of the past.
Cuomo still has fans, but Mamdani is gaining fast.
Who Supports Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani has the support of big progressive names. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders have backed him. He’s also backed by the DSA.
He raised over $7 million from small donors. That money came from more than 16,000 people. He also has 5,000 volunteers helping his campaign.
This grassroots support shows his message is strong and spreading fast.
Some Say He’s Not Ready
Critics say Zohran Mamdani lacks experience. He’s only passed three bills during his time in office. Some worry he won’t be able to run a city as big as New York.
He also faced backlash for voting against benefits for volunteer firefighters. That vote upset some local groups.
And his foreign policy comments have sparked debate. He supports BDS and has spoken out against world leaders like Modi and Netanyahu.
Why Voters Still Support Him
Even with the criticism, Zohran Mamdani has strong support. Voters like his honesty. They like that he shows up and speaks clearly. He walks in protest. He visits housing sites. He listens.
Young people trust him more than other politicians. They see him as one of them. Many say he’s not perfect, but he’s trying—and that’s enough for now.
What Happens Next?
The primary vote is set for June 24. If Zohran Mamdani wins, he could become the first mayor in NYC history with African, Indian, and Muslim roots.
He would also be one of the youngest mayors in the city’s history. His win would shake up local and national politics.
A lot is riding on this race. Both sides are campaigning hard.
Final Thoughts on Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani started as a young local leader. Now he may be days away from leading America’s biggest city. His ideas are bold. His support is growing. His path is not easy—but it’s real.
This mayoral race is one of the most exciting in years. And right now, Zohran Mamdani is in the lead.
