On November 4, 2025, Democratic Socialist Zohran Kwame Mamdani won New York City’s mayoral election with 50.78% of votes, making him the first Muslim and South Asian mayor in the city’s history—creating significant representation for NYC’s multicultural immigrant population. His socialist affordability policies, conveyed through potent social media marketing, drew New Yorkers into his culturally and politically groundbreaking movement.
One year ago, Mamdani was polling at 1%. After building a grassroots movement of over 100,000 volunteers, he won the mayoral election with the largest turnout NYC has seen in decades, becoming the first mayor-elect to receive over one million votes since 1969.
A cultural phenomenon with over 11 million followers on Instagram, Mamdani won 78% of Generation Z voters (aged 18-29) according to Forbes. He is the youngest mayor-elect since 1892.
Chances are, Mamdani’s colorful, upbeat videos have likely crossed the feed of most Instagram users. Often pictured in the throes of NYC life—riding the subway, ordering from a halal cart or sitting on a bench in Central Park—Mamdani flashes a smile and reminds viewers of his affordability agenda.
Notable policies include making buses fast and free, freezing rent, implementing no-cost childcare and creating accessible housing.
Mamdani’s campaign website reads, “The cost of living is crushing working people, but Zohran believes that government can lower costs and make life easier in our city—he’ll use every tool available to bring down the rent, create world-class public transit, and make it easier to raise a family.”
His messaging stands out due to its focus on one key issue—the cost of living. “Just having one central message that everybody can get around is extremely powerful,” Siddharth Chibber ’26 said. It is a platform that he has established and stuck to. Virtually any question asked of him regarding his campaign leads back to his core promise: making NYC affordable again. “Politicians are not bystanders to the affordability crisis,” he said in an interview on MSNBC. “We can lower the cost of living and make life easier for New Yorkers in real and meaningful ways.”
Despite living across the nation, many LWHS students have followed Mamdani’s campaign through social media. His online platforms’ engagement far outpaces his former competitors, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.
photo courtesy of Instagram @zohrankmamdani
“The level of the production quality for Zohran’s campaign is incredible,” Chibber said. “You see him on Instagram, and you’re like, this guy could be my friend.”
Born in Kampala, Uganda to parents of Indian descent, Mamdani immigrated to the U.S. at age seven, mirroring the stories of 38% of current NYC residents who were born outside of the U.S. “I think it’s really cool that someone who’s a child of immigrants could win the mayoral election,” Kai Moloney Seshan, an Indian high schooler in NYC, said. He is also Muslim—an identity that has made him the target of Islamophobia, but simultaneously helps him connect with the over 1 million Muslims living in NYC.
Mamdani made campaign videos in Arabic, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali in order to more deeply connect with New Yorkers, who speak over 800 languages. “For me, seeing him speak in Hindi [on social media] was incredible,” Chibber, the Co-President of Lick-Wilmerding’s South Asian Middle Eastern Affinity group said. “That’s a candidate who represents me.”
photo courtesy of Instagram @zohrankmamdani
Many feel that Mamdani also gives important representation to left-leaning South Asians. “I feel like so many of the Indians and South Asians in politics in the U.S., unfortunately, are M.A.G.A.,” Chibber said. “It’s cool to see this level of representation, from a guy that’s so talented and lovable and seems like a genuinely friendly guy.” Yet, Mamdani’s image was not solely created through strategic exposure—many cite his natural charisma and unapologetic socialist stance as part of his appeal. “What I find interesting about him [is that] he’s not afraid to tell people what he thinks, which is really important,” Ved Marya ’27 said.
photo courtesy of Instagram @zohrankmamdani
Some also compare Mamdani to another politician with a large personality, though very different politics: President Donald Trump. “I think they both inspire very big emotional reactions…they’re both very emotional figures for people,” Moloney Seshan said.
Despite their similar personalities, Trump has made social media posts criticizing Mamdani, including calling him a “communist lunatic.” However, after their late November meeting, in which they discussed Mamdani’s plans for NYC, the President praised Mamdani, describing him as a “man who really wants New York to be great again.”
Though Trump’s White House poses a threat to Democrats, Mamdani has remained steadfast in his opposition to the President, stating that once he assumes office, he will actively fight back against the federal government. “Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you,” Mamdani said in his first speech as mayor-elect. “Turn the volume up.” Cheers exploded from the crowd watching.
Currently, Mamdani is assembling a transition team that has already received over 70,000 applications from New Yorkers wanting to serve in his government.
Mamdani’s win is undeniably groundbreaking, from his socialist economic policies and immigrant identity, to his social media presence and immense growth in the polls. By uplifting those excluded from institutional politics—financially, racially, culturally and socially—Mamdani’s platform creates hope for many who anticipate longstanding change.
