Indian-origin New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is quick to become a serious contender in the New York mayoral election. At 33, he currently ranks second only to former Governor Andrew Cuomo. US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently came out in support of him, praising his ability to bring together a cohesive coalition of working-class New Yorkers.
But Mamdani’s position on Israel has also generated controversy and discussion among the political and Jewish communities. This article looks at Mamdani’s background, political career, and challenges he faced while vying for New York’s top job.
Early Life and Educational Background
Zohran Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda. His family moved to Cape Town, South Africa, when he was five years old, before moving again to New York City when he was seven years old. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a Marxist scholar born in Indian by birth and Ugandan by citizenship, and his mother is Mira Nair, an Indian-American director.
Mamdani graduated from high school at Bronx High School of Science and also attended the Bank Street School for Children in New York. He earned his degree from Bowdoin College in 2014 in Africana Studies. During college, he co-founded the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, a sign of his early activism.
Political Career and Achievements
Mamdani started his career helping people prevent the loss of their homes. He also volunteered on community campaigns for politicians such as Ali Najmi and Tiffany Cabán. In 2017, he joined the Democratic Socialists of America.
Mamdani was elected to the Democratic primary in 2020 and became the New York State Assembly Member for Queens’ 36th District in 2021. He was unopposed in the 2022 and 2024 elections. As a legislator, he has introduced 20 bills, out of which three have been enacted. He remains an active member of the Democratic Socialists and serves on significant Assembly committees.
Controversy Over Israel’s Stance
In his initial Democratic mayoral debate, Mamdani was upset when he refused to explicitly declare Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. Instead, he insisted that Israel must exist “as a state with equal rights.” This position elicited anger and accusations of antisemitism. The debate exchange went viral, resulting in outrage against both Mamdani and his supporters, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and State Senator John Liu.
Jewish leaders expressed deep concern, especially amid rising antisemitic incidents in the US. They called Mamdani’s views unacceptable, adding tension to his campaign.
Contested Race with High Stakes
Zohran Mamdani represents a new generation of Indian-origin leadership in New York politics. His liberal platform and popular base are appealing to a broad cross-section of voters. His incendiary statements and controversy following them, however, highlight the challenges he faces.
As the mayoral campaign heats up, Mamdani will need to navigate complex political and social dynamics to achieve broader acceptability.