The NYC mayoral election is a hot topic that is sizzling New York City. The NYC mayoral election is a key part in keeping the city together. The election is held every four years and controls the decision making process in the city, such as housing, taxes, MTA fares, infrastructure, and safety. However, this year introduced the influential American, Ugandan state representative, Zohran Kwame Mamdani. Mamdani has many New Yorkers all heated up for the election. After a long time of young people neglecting the politics of the mayoral elections, the youth voters and the ones not even yet to vote have Mamdani’s name in their conversation.
Mamdani isn’t just aiming to become New York’s mayor, but make history as NYC’s first Muslim and Indian-American mayor, and the youngest to do so as well. The enthusiasm that Mamdani projects to make the city stronger and the genuine connection he has created with young New Yorkers allows him to gain more support everyday.
Zohran Kwame Mamdani’s multicultural background isn’t a small factor of his identity, but a core asset that allows him to resonate deeply with the citizens of New York. Born and raised in Kampala, Uganda to an Indian American mother and Ugandan father, Mamdani moved to New York City at the age of seven. In 2018, he became a naturalized American citizen. Mamdani embraced his unique, immigrant background and caught the eyes of many. NYC’s foundation is heavily based on the large immigrant community, the city is a major “melting pot” of cultures that reunite in the same city. Due to his cultural background, many New Yorkers find a connection with him, compared to the other candidates that are dealing with controversy and struggle with connecting with New York.
Mamdani’s spotlight really began to skyrocket during the Spring of 2025, where he secured his nomination on June 24, 2025 for the November 2025 mayoral election. Mamdani fought hard for his win through his demonstrated unbreakable persistence and grit against the former Governor Andrew Cuomo who had loads of money from AIPAC donations. Donations that came from billionaires that also gave donations to President Trump’s presidential campaign, which Mamdani condemns. Through Mamdani’s ethical values and honesty, he was able to fight against the heavily money rooted candidates, a stepping stone in NYC political history of shady influence.
Mamdani shocked New Yorkers with his 44% ballots versus the 36% ballots that Cuomo had gathered. This is a dramatic change because when Mamdani began he wasn’t known by many, yet his determination to better the city by his in-person interactions and creativity using social media platforms like Tiktok, allowed his popularity to soar amongst the youth and first-time voters in NYC. For example, Mamdani would create short clip videos of him speaking in different languages, like Spanish, Hindi, Bengali, and Urdu. Though the other candidates attempted to use their time to go on campaigns, Mamdani on the other hand shared personal and insightful content that charmed New Yorkers all round. Mamdani did not shy away from engaging with local New Yorkers at his rallies in the beating summer heat including all 5 boroughs from Queens to Staten Island.
Supporters of Mamdani have even resurfaced an old rap music video that Mamdani and friends have created. The video was about his grandmother with the title of “Mr. Cardamom,” this old video was shared amongst the internet and went viral. It even included the world renowned chef Madhur Jaffrey. This video demonstrated why Mamdani’s fun compulsive personality brings supporters closer, allowing viewers to see the nonpolitical side of him. Mamdani manages to feel authentic, which other candidates fail to do.
To add on, a short clip video of Mamdani was also being spread over Tiktok of him playing soccer for his high school’s team. The 23 second clip captivated a lot of New Yorkers, it showcases the earlier and youthful essences of Mamdani as a highschooler.
Mrs. Restifo, an AP Government and Politics teacher at Richmond Hill High School, shares what she hopes to see for this coming election.
“It would be very interesting now that mayor Adams has dropped out of the race. I hope to see a large motivated group of citizens that go to cast their votes so that their voices can be heard and positive change that could impact my students’ lives.”
However, his battle to success isn’t over yet, voters wait patiently for the November election, where Mamdani will battle against Curtis Sliwa and Andrew Cuomo returning back as an Independent party. Although most of us can’t vote just yet, we can all still take part in promoting Mamdani first in the polls. The city we live in should thrive for us and future generations with the use of our impactful voices.