Zohran Mamdani aims to become New York City’s first Muslim mayor, focusing on issues like poverty and affordability.
Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic state representative, is on track to become New York City’s first Muslim mayoral nominee, marking a major milestone in the city’s political history. As of Wednesday morning, June 25, Mamdani held a decisive lead over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, with 95% of ballots counted.
In stark contrast to outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, Mamdani has emerged as a champion of working-class and immigrant communities, pledging bold reforms to address the city’s deep-rooted affordability and equity issues.
Key Promises from Zohran Mamdani’s Mayoral Campaign
1. Addressing NYC’s Affordability Crisis
Mamdani has made tackling the city’s affordability crisis his top priority. At a recent event, he told the BBC,
“This is a city where one in four people lives in poverty and half a million children go to sleep hungry. We’re at risk of losing what makes New York special.”
To fight this, he proposes:
- A chain of city-run grocery stores to combat food insecurity
- A freeze on all rent-stabilized apartments
- A new Social Housing Development Agency to build 200,000 subsidized housing units over three years
- Tighter regulations and accountability for landlords
2. Expanding Community Support Services
Mamdani plans to roll out:
- Universal childcare for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years
- Tuition-free public college (CUNY and SUNY)
- An end to property tax exemptions for private universities
- A Department of Community Safety focused on housing support, mental health care, and violence prevention programs
3. Progressive Taxation to Fund Public Programs
To finance these initiatives, Mamdani supports:
- A 2% city income tax on individuals earning over $1 million
- Higher corporate taxes
Revenue would go toward expanding legal aid for tenants, free public transit, and subsidized groceries.
4. Improved Transit and Infrastructure
To make transportation more accessible and sustainable, Mamdani’s plan includes:
- Fare-free MTA buses
- A freeze on subway fares
- Investments in safer infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists
These changes aim to increase ridership, reduce carbon emissions, and ease congestion.
5. Immigration, LGBTQ+ Rights, and Civil Liberties
Mamdani has taken a firm stance on civil rights:
- Supports LGBTQ+ rights, including expanding gender-affirming healthcare and creating a dedicated LGBTQ+ Affairs Office
- Protects undocumented workers, pledging sanctuary policies, legal aid, and expanded language access
- Frequently highlights his Muslim identity, even releasing a campaign video in Urdu
He’s also been outspoken on international issues, especially regarding Israel and Palestine. A vocal supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, he has called Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide” and pushed legislation to revoke tax-exempt status for charities linked to Israeli settlements. While acknowledging Israel’s right to exist, he insists it must comply with international law.
What’s Next?
The primary election was held on Tuesday, June 24. If Mamdani maintains his lead and wins in November, he will officially take office later this year, becoming not just the city’s first Muslim mayor, but also a symbol of its shifting political landscape.
