<div class='bc_element' id='bc_element'1 style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>New York City politics is constantly evolving, and one name that’s been gaining attention is Zohran Kwame Mamdani. As a New York State Assemblymember representing Queens’ 36th district, Mamdani has gone from working as a foreclosure prevention counselor to running for mayor. His work in housing advocacy, tenants’ rights, and public policy has shaped his approach to politics, and his campaign is centered around ideas aimed at reshaping the way the city functions for working-class people.</p><p><br></p><p><b>A Transcontinental Upbringing</b></p><p><br></p><p>Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda. His mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, and his father, academic Mahmood Mamdani, come from different but equally influential worlds—one rooted in storytelling, the other in scholarship. His early years were shaped by both, but his move to New York City at the age of seven put him on a different path. He later attended the Bronx High School of Science, followed by Bowdoin College, where he earned a degree in Africana Studies in 2014. In 2018, he officially became a U.S. citizen, reinforcing his connection to the country he had long called home.</p><p><br></p><p>Mamdani didn’t plan to get into politics—it was something that came out of the work he was already doing. As a foreclosure prevention counselor, he saw firsthand how housing instability was affecting people in Queens. Many homeowners were on the verge of losing their homes, and he realized that fixing the issue required more than just case-by-case solutions.</p><p><br></p><p>His political involvement started with organizing on the ground. He worked on progressive campaigns, including Tiffany Cabán’s 2019 run for Queens District Attorney. His experience in community activism pushed him to take the next step—running for office himself. In 2020, he successfully unseated a four-term incumbent in the New York State Assembly, running on a platform focused on housing rights, transit accessibility, and economic justice.</p><p><br></p><p><b>Fighting for Housing, Transit, and Workers’ Rights</b></p><p><br></p><p>In the State Assembly, Mamdani has introduced and supported policies focused on economic justice, tenant protections, and public services. He’s advocated for:</p><p>Rent Control – Pushing for stronger protections for tenants and limits on rent increases.</p><p>Fare-Free Public Transit – Proposing a free bus system to make transportation accessible for all.</p><p>Single-Payer Healthcare – Supporting statewide healthcare reform that removes private insurance barriers.</p><p>One of his most notable moments came in 2021, when he joined New York City taxi drivers in a 15-day hunger strike to push for debt relief for medallion owners. The strike led to a $450 million relief package, a major win for struggling drivers.</p><p><br></p><p>In October 2024, Mamdani announced his candidacy for the 2025 New York City mayoral race. His platform sticks closely to the themes he’s championed in the Assembly:</p><p>Housing – Implementing rent freezes and expanding affordable housing programs.</p><p>Public Transit – Advocating for fare-free buses and better transit accessibility.</p><p>Childcare – Expanding no-cost childcare to ease financial pressure on families.</p><p>Public Services – Creating city-owned grocery stores to lower food prices and challenge market monopolies.</p><p>His campaign has gained traction, especially among younger voters. According to a poll by Honan Strategy Group, he currently stands at 12% support among likely Democratic voters—second only to former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 38%.</p><p><br></p><p>Mamdani’s approach to politics has brought both praise and criticism. His outspoken stance on Palestinian rights has been a point of controversy. In 2023, he introduced the "Not on Our Dime!" bill, which aimed to block New York-based charities from funding Israeli settler activities. His support for global justice movements has drawn criticism from some political groups but has also strengthened his appeal among progressive activists.</p><p><br></p><p>Mamdani’s run for mayor is a test of how far progressive ideas can go in shaping New York City’s future. His policies focus on making the city more affordable, accessible, and equitable. Whether his approach resonates widely enough to secure a win in 2025 remains to be seen, but his campaign is already setting the stage for a larger conversation about who the city works for—and who it leaves behind.</p><span></div>