Kwame Mamdani speaks at a rally after his Democratic Party nomination
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Ugandan-born Zohran Kwame Mamdani has triumphed in the Democratic primary race to run for mayor of New York City. This follows Andrew Cuomo’s concession, which reflects a major electoral upset.
Cuomo, the former governor of the state, was seeking a political revival after resigning in 2021 due to a sexual harassment controversy.
Address to his supporters following the loss, Cuomo acknowledged that Mamdani—a 33-year-old democratic socialist—had “won” the primary contest and stated, “we will evaluate our next steps.”
“Tonight belongs to him,” Cuomo, who is 67 years old, declared. Should he win, Mamdani would become the first Muslim and Indian American to govern the largest city in the United States.
Mamdani’s campaign promises include free public transportation, universal childcare, rent freezes in subsidized units, and city-operated grocery stores—all financed through increased taxes on the wealthy.
Zohran Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991. He is the son of well-known Makerere University scholar, Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, and his partner, Mira Nair.
Since 2021, Mamdani has represented the 36th district in Queens as a member of the New York State Assembly. Affiliated with both the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, he won his first election in 2020 by defeating a four-term incumbent. He has since been re-elected unopposed.
His campaign has, however, encountered substantial opposition from primarily white Americans and Republicans who label him as a Muslim immigrant from a developing nation.
Additionally, his critique of Israel’s support for Palestine has created tensions, particularly with the Jewish community, which holds significant influence within the Democratic Party.
