Is a Ugandan Born Zohran Kwame Mamdani at The Cusp Of Winning The New York Mayoral Race?

A Ugandan-born candidate is now at the center of America’s most-watched mayoral race.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a 33-year-old New York State Assembly member born in Kampala to the renowned intellectual Mahmood Mamdani and celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair, has emerged as the main challenger to former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for Mayor of New York City, scheduled for June 24.

Long seen as an underdog, Mamdani’s grassroots momentum is now undeniable.

📊 1. Dramatic Polling Shift & Statistical Dead Heat

– From Underdog to Contender:

Mamdani trailed Cuomo by 40+ points in early 2025 but now sits within 2 points (51–49) in the final round of ranked-choice voting, per a Data for Progress poll . Cuomo’s internal polls show a larger 12-point lead, but analysts agree the race is a two-way contest . 

– Momentum Drivers:

 Mamdani’s favorability (58%) surpasses Cuomo’s (48%), fueled by viral social media outreach and door-to-door canvassing. His appeal extends beyond young progressives to working-class Black, Latino, and older voters . 

🌍 2. Background & Symbolic Candidacy.

– Immigrant Roots:

Born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian-origin parents—Marxist scholar Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair—Mamdani moved to NYC at age 7. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018.

– Historic Representation:

 If elected, he would be NYC’s first Muslim mayor and first Indian-American mayor, mobilizing diverse communities with multilingual campaigns (e.g., Hindi-language videos with 5M+ views). 

✊ 3. Progressive Platform & Grassroots Strategy.

– Core Policies:

  – Housing:

 Rent freeze for stabilized apartments and city-funded affordable housing. 

  – Transit:

 Expansion of fare-free buses (pioneered via his 2023 pilot program) and subway upgrades.

  – Economic Justice:

Tax hikes on corporations/the 1% to fund universal childcare and city-owned grocery stores.

– Coalition Building:

Leverages ranked-choice voting by urging supporters to donate to allies (e.g., Adrienne Adams) to consolidate anti-Cuomo votes. The “DREAM” tactic (Don’t Rank Evil Andrew) aims to exclude Cuomo from ballots entirely. 

– Endorsements:

Backed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DSA, and labor unions. Small-donor fundraising hit $1.5M, maxing out public matching funds. 

⚠️ 4. Cuomo’s Vulnerabilities & Attack Lines.

– Scandal Legacy:

Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations and COVID nursing home death scandals.

Pro-Mamdani ads frame him as “scandal-ridden” and out of touch.

– Establishment Ties:

 Cuomo’s super PACs ($2.7M from real estate/ corporate donors) attack Mamdani as “inexperienced” and radical (e.g., “defund police” claims). Mamdani counters by highlighting Cuomo’s corporate dependencies.

– Policy Feud:

Cuomo dismisses Mamdani’s plans as fiscally unrealistic; Mamdani retorts that NYPD overtime ($1.1B/year) could fund social programs. 

🗳️ 5. Electoral Mechanics & High Stakes.

– Ranked-Choice Dynamics:

Mamdani gains strength in later voting rounds as minor candidates are eliminated. Early polling shows him trailing 33–40% in first-round preferences but surging to near-tie in final tallies. 

– Primary Date:

June 24, 2025. The winner is favored in November’s general election, given NYC’s strong Democratic lean. 

– Voter Sentiment:

 Interviews reveal Mamdani’s message resonates with those priced out of NYC: *”He is really representing hope… Housing [and] rent control are huge issues“* . 

💎 Conclusion.

Mamdani’s rise reflects a broader appetite for economic populism and outsider politics in NYC. His ability to frame the race as “grassroots vs. dynasty“—while navigating ranked-choice complexities—could upend Cuomo’s comeback bid. With early voting starting June 14, the primary hinges on low-name-recognition voters (28% still unfamiliar with Mamdani) and turnout intensity .

Biography of Zohran Kwame Mamdani.

Here is a comprehensive biography of Zohran Kwame Mamdani, synthesized from multiple verified sources:

🗓️ Early Life & Background.

– Birth & Heritage:

Born October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, to parents of Indian origin. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a Marxist scholar and Columbia University professor; his mother, Mira Nair, is an acclaimed Indian-American filmmaker.

– Migration & Education:

Moved to Cape Town, South Africa, at age 5, then to New York City at 7. Attended NYC public schools (Bank Street School, Bronx High School of Science) and graduated from Bowdoin College (2014) with a BA in Africana Studies. Co-founded Bowdoin’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.

– Citizenship:

 Naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2018.

⚖️ Pre-Political Career.

– Worked as a foreclosure prevention counselor in Queens, aiding low-income homeowners facing eviction. This role solidified his focus on economic justice and tenant rights.

– Organized for progressive campaigns, including Tiffany Cabán’s 2019 bid for Queens DA and Khader El-Yateem’s NYC Council run . Joined the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in 2017.

🏛️ Political Career (New York State Assembly).

– Election:

Won the 36th Assembly District (Astoria, Queens) in 2020, defeating 4-term incumbent Aravella Simotas. Re-elected unopposed in 2022 and 2024. 

– Historic Firsts:

 First South Asian man, first Ugandan, and third Muslim in the NY State Assembly.

– Key Legislative Work: 

  – Sponsored 20+ bills; passed 3 into law.

  – Championed fare-free bus pilot programs (2023), resulting in 30% ridership increases and reduced operator assaults.

  – Authored the “Not on Our Dime!” bill to block NY charities from funding Israeli settlements.

  – Advocated for universal childcare, rent stabilization, and a $30 minimum wage by 2030.

🌟 2025 NYC Mayoral Campaign.

– Platform: 

  – Housing:

 Rent freeze for stabilized apartments; crackdown on negligent landlords; 200,000 new affordable units. 

  – Transit:

Permanent free citywide buses and speed improvements. 

  – Economic Justice:

City-owned grocery stores to lower food costs; universal childcare; corporate/wealth tax hikes (11.5% corporate rate, 2% tax on incomes >$1M). 

  – Public Safety:

“Department of Community Safety” to address root causes of violence via mental health outreach and social programs. 

– Coalition Building:

Targets working-class Black/Latino communities, Muslims, South Asians, young progressives, and former Eric Adams supporters. 

– Fundraising:

Raised $8M+ from 18,000+ small donors—maxing out public matching funds faster than any NYC mayoral candidate in history.

– Endorsements:

Backed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), DSA, Working Families Party, and major labor unions. 

🎭 Personal Life & Identity.

– Married Syrian artist Rama Duwaji in 2025.

– Practicing Muslim; if elected mayor, would be NYC’s first Muslim and Indian-American mayor. 

– Former rapper under stage name “Mr. Cardamom“; released single “Nani” featuring Madhur Jaffrey . 

⚡ Controversies & Stances.

– Israel-Palestine:

Supports BDS movement; describes Gaza conflict as “genocide.” Faced criticism for declining to sign pro-Israel Assembly resolutions but affirms Israel’s right to exist. 

– Progressive Critiques:

Opponents label policies like free buses and city groceries as fiscally unrealistic; Mayor Adams mocked his public safety plan as “defund the police” . 

📈 Current Electoral Standing (as of June 2025).

– Polls second behind Andrew Cuomo in NYC’s Democratic mayoral primary, narrowing a 40-point gap to a statistical tie in ranked-choice simulations.

– Primary election:

June 24, 2025; ranked-choice voting could favor his coalition-driven strategy . 

Zohran Mamdani’s trajectory—from Ugandan immigrant to progressive powerhouse—reflects a campaign centered on economic populism and unprecedented coalition-building. His policy vision challenges NYC’s status quo, positioning him as a symbol of change for marginalized communities.

Andrew Cuomo  Former New York Governor may lock him out of the race, though.

Here is a breakdown of Andrew Cuomo’s assets and liabilities as of June 2025:

💰 Assets.

1. Personal Wealth. 

   – Net Worth:

 Estimated at $3 million per public disclosures . Earlier reports (2013–2015) placed it between $1.75M–$3M, excluding pension value. 

   – Income Streams:

     – Consulting Firm:

Earned >$500,000 in 2024 via Innovation Strategies LLC, his legal consulting firm.

     – Pension:

Receives ~$55,000/year from his state pension (net present value: $329,848).

     – Investments:

$155,000–$310,000 in annual interest/dividends; 26 investments/retirement funds valued at $1.4M–$3.5M. 

2. Stock Holdings.

   – Nano Nuclear Energy:

Holds 125,000 stock options (worth $2.6M as of May 2025) through Innovation Strategies LLC. 

   – Book Royalties:

Earned $5.1M for his COVID-19 memoir (*American Crisis*), though $5M was contested by ethics watchdogs.

3. Real Estate.

   – Owns a luxury Manhattan apartment (used as his consulting firm’s HQ). 

   – Previously owned properties in Westchester County and Long Island. 

⚖️ Liabilities.

1. Financial Penalties.

   – Campaign Fines:

$1.3M in penalties from NYC Campaign Finance Board for illegal super PAC coordination.

   – Ethics Penalties:

Ordered to repay $5.1M memoir earnings by NY ethics board (Joint Commission on Public Ethics) for misusing state resources. 

2. Legal & Ethical Exposures. 

   – Stock Disclosure Violations:

 Failed to report $2.6M Nano Nuclear stock options to NYC Conflicts of Interest Board, prompting investigations . 

   – Undisclosed Clients:

 Refusal to reveal clients of Innovation Strategies LLC (e.g., cryptocurrency firms), raising conflict-of-interest concerns . 

   – Nursing Home Scandal:

Federal probes into underreporting COVID-19 deaths; though closed, it damaged public trust. 

   – Sexual Harassment Allegations:

 11+ accusers; no criminal charges filed but fueled political vulnerability. 

3. Political Vulnerabilities.

   – Corporate Ties:

Reliance on super PACs ($10M+) funded by real estate (Fisher Brothers, Vornado), tech (DoorDash, Netflix), and billionaires (Bill Ackman, Ken Langone), alienating progressive voters. 

   – Policy Flip-Flops:

Criticized for shutting down Indian Point nuclear plant (increasing carbon emissions) while profiting from nuclear investments.

💎 Key Takeaways.

Cuomo’s wealth is anchored in opaque ventures (e.g., LLC consulting) and contested assets (memoir, stocks), while liabilities stem from ethics violations, legal scrutiny, and donor dependencies that undermine his “anti-establishment” mayoral campaign.

Read more analysis by Rutashubanyuma Nestory