Zohran Mamdani has made history by becoming the first Muslim, of Indian origin, and youngest mayor of New York City. At just 34, the democratic socialist shocked everyone by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
His win shook the city’s business elites and political leaders. Mamdani was disliked by many of the country’s wealthiest people and even Donald Trump. Yet, against all odds, he rose above the hate and changed New York politics. Here is how he paved the path to success:
Mamdani’s policies
Mamdani’s economic ideas directly challenge the city’s richest residents. In an interview with NBC, he defended his plan to tax “richer and whiter” neighbourhoods, arguing that the city’s property tax system is unfair. As a democratic socialist, Mamdani has said he does not believe billionaires should exist because of the inequality their wealth creates.
To many billionaires, his ideas felt like a direct threat to their wealth and power. Hedge fund managers like Bill Ackman, real estate moguls, and other wealthy elites reportedly spent millions to stop him, seeing him as a danger to the system that protects their privileges and tax breaks.
His plans include freezing rents, offering free public buses, providing universal childcare, and raising taxes on the wealthiest one percent.
He also wants to shift property tax burdens away from rich neighbourhoods. According to a J.L. Partners poll for the Daily Mail, nearly one million New Yorkers are ready to leave the city if Mamdani wins. The survey, which polled 500 registered voters between October 23–26, found that 9% would “definitely” move, while 25% are considering it, roughly 2.12 million people.
Mamdani’s digital-first campaign
When results rolled in June 2025, congratulatory calls poured in along with alarmed messages from New York’s establishment figures. Billionaire Bill Ackman warned on X that “hundreds of millions of dollars” would be spent to stop Mamdani, while Cuomo allies urged unions and Democratic officials to withhold support.
I awoke this morning gravely concerned about New York City. I thought “What has NYC become that an avowed socialist who has supported defunding the police, whose solution to lowering food prices is city-owned supermarkets, who doesn’t understand that freezing rents will only…
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) June 26, 2025
Yet by November, Mamdani, the first Muslim and South Asian to lead the city, and its youngest mayor in more than a century had managed to calm much of the opposition through a mix of charm, smart planning, and luck.
His campaign was digital-first, inspired by movements like those of Donald Trump and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Instead of depending on big donors, Mamdani’s team focused on viral videos, community events, and limited-edition merchandise that rewarded volunteer work instead of money. Events like scavenger hunts and soccer tournaments drew thousands, turning casual supporters into organisers.
Cuomo’s campaign, with its $25 million in big-money donations, felt secretive, outdated, and disconnected from voters. On primary night, Mamdani’s team were so sure of defeat that they hadn’t even written a victory speech. By 10pm, as votes rolled in, he was hurriedly preparing to address jubilant supporters, declaring victory over “billionaires and their big spending.”
Mamdani’s emotional connection with voters
Mamdani’s rise was not just political, it was emotional. While he was in Uganda for his wedding celebration, a mass shooting in a Midtown office tower left several people dead, including an off-duty police officer.
Cuomo quickly blamed Mamdani’s past “defund the police” comments. But when it was revealed that the slain officer was Muslim and Bangladeshi, the family invited Mamdani to grieve with them. His compassionate response and calm tone helped many see him as mayoral material, showing empathy and maturity.
After that, Mamdani began what his aides called a “C-suite charm offensive.” He met with New York’s most powerful business leaders, from BlackRock’s Larry Fink to developer William Rudin, focusing on collaboration without giving up his progressive priorities.
He also reached out to political figures he had once criticised. In a key meeting with Governor Kathy Hochul, Mamdani apologised for past remarks and agreed to consult her on police leadership decisions, which led to her eventual endorsement.
As reported by New York Times, his attempt to make peace with former mayor Michael Bloomberg, however, didn’t go as well. Though their meeting was polite, Bloomberg later funded anti-Mamdani super PACs over Mamdani’s position on Israel. Throughout the campaign, Mamdani had to balance principle and pragmatism.
His aides debated how far to moderate his image, especially around the controversial “globalize the intifada” slogan. Mamdani refused to condemn the phrase outright, but his measured distance from it helped him avoid losing progressive support while reducing backlash from Jewish leaders.
By late October, Mamdani had built an unlikely coalition of Brooklyn gentrifiers, Queens cab drivers, labour unions, and left-wing icons. Just a week before Election Day, he filled Forest Hills Stadium with Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Governor Hochul on one stage, which is a powerful image of unity.
Mamdani’s messaging
Mamdani’s campaign stood out for its authenticity. He connected with voters online by being himself: genuine, direct, and unfiltered. On platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok, he talked about real issues in his own voice, sharing moments from his daily life instead of polished statements. His content felt contemporary, multicultural, and participatory.
His campaign was deeply rooted in community power. Volunteers made over two million door-to-door visits and three million phone calls in multiple languages. This grassroots energy gave his campaign a personal touch that big-money advertising couldn’t buy.
Mamdani’s message was clear, affordability and fairness. He constantly talked about rent freezes, a $30 minimum wage by 2030, fare-free buses, universal childcare, and city-owned grocery stores. His focus on breaking political dynasties and serving working-class New Yorkers struck a chord across communities.
He also turned attacks into strengths. When Trump and billionaire groups criticised him, Mamdani used their opposition to energise his supporters, framing himself as the one leader truly standing up to elite power.
As a young, Muslim, and South Asian candidate, Mamdani’s identity became central to his message. He used his own story to show that New York’s leadership could reflect the city’s diversity. His visibility in immigrant neighbourhoods and cultural events helped him connect with first-time voters and those who had long felt ignored by traditional politics.
