About Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani: Astoria organizer, Assembly champion, NYC mayoral candidate 2025

Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a Ugandan-born, Queens-raised public servant who represents New York State Assembly District 36. Trained as an organizer and housing counselor, he has dedicated his career to making New York City affordable, equitable, and welcoming for working families.

Biography & credentials

Before entering public office, Zohran organized tenants with the Democratic Socialists of America, supported immigrant taxi drivers fighting for debt relief, and worked as a housing counselor helping Queens residents navigate foreclosures. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School and earned a degree from Bowdoin College, where he studied economics and history.

In the Assembly, he serves on the Standing Committees on Housing, Transportation, and Banks, bringing neighborhood-level insight to statewide policy. His legislation includes rent relief for small businesses, expanded tenant protections, and climate-forward public power initiatives.

Key achievements

  • Flipped Assembly District 36 for progressive governance

    In 2020, Zohran defeated a 10-year incumbent to represent Astoria, Long Island City, and Queensbridge Houses. His upset victory was covered as part of a broader progressive wave in New York.

    Source: The New York Times

  • Delivered historic fare-free bus pilot for New York City

    As a lead sponsor, Zohran secured funding for the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot in 2023, providing cost relief to working-class riders across all five boroughs.

    Source: MTA Press Release

  • Secured millions in COVID-19 relief for Western Queens

    Organized mutual aid, rental assistance, and small business grants to help Queens residents recover from the pandemic’s economic fallout.

    Source: Queens Chronicle

Platform pillars for New York City

Affordable housing NYC

Freeze rents on stabilized units, build public and social housing at scale, and close loopholes that fuel speculation.

Fare-free transit NYC

Expand the fare-free bus pilot, invest in bus lanes, and deliver reliable, zero-cost commutes for working families.

Climate-ready jobs

Create union jobs through public power, resilient infrastructure, and neighborhood green projects led by frontline communities.