In the print edition of this article and it’s table of contents, Sareena’s last name was misspelled “Perananbuco.” The correct spelling is “Pernambuco.”
Zohran Mamdani has been all over the news, and for good reason. He was elected mayor of New York City on Nov. 4, 2025, and at just 34 years old, he is the youngest NYC mayor to be elected since the 18th century.
He ran an incredibly successful campaign fueled by his flourishing social media accounts and online presence. While the way he catered to the younger voter population is what made him an internet sensation, it was not the only driving force in the success of his campaign.
Mamdani is openly a democratic socialist, meaning that he believes in a system where the working class has a voice in society, and the government actively works to prevent wealthy elites from abusing their power and exploiting regular people. He ran his campaign promising fast and free buses, universal childcare, freezing the rent, and other policy commitments intended to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Many voters were skeptical of his youth and inexperience, as well as his ambitious promises to increase affordability.
His opponent, Andrew Cuomo, was endorsed by Donald Trump, as well as Eric Adams, the previous mayor. It’s not uncommon to see a sticker on a lamppost or a spray-painted wall around the city that condemns Cuomo or Adams in a profane way. Anecdotally, they are both hated by most of the New Yorkers I’ve encountered. Cuomo was New York’s former governor, who resigned in 2021 after it came to light that he had sexually assaulted at least 13 women. Adams was charged with one count of bribery and fraud and two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. It’s understandable why Mamdani would be seen as a more suitable candidate by many voters.
Income inequality has been rising consistently in America, and has been steadily increasing since the election of Donald Trump. The Trump administration has redirected billions of dollars in funding from programs that support working families, international aid, and welfare. These taxpayer dollars now go toward “military readiness, and border security, and acting swiftly to protect American companies from foreign interference,” according to a White House fact sheet published on Jan. 7.
As America shows a trend towards authoritarianism and fascism rises, so do the forces opposing these ideologies. An article in the The Economic Times said, “With unmistakable clarity and resolve, Mamdani pledged that New York City, a vibrant city of immigrants, will be a beacon amid what he described as a moment of political darkness.”
A voter choosing between an eager but inexperienced young politician and a more seasoned candidate entangled in scandals and establishment politics is choosing between two very different futures — not just for their city, but for the whole country.
Over winter break, I was able to attend Mamdani’s inauguration. New York Comptroller Mark Levine and New York Public Advocate Jumaane Williams were also sworn in, and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders swore in Mamdani himself. During Sanders’ speech, I remember him discussing how opponents of Mamdani have called his campaign radical, communistic, and unachievable.
“In the richest country in the world, making sure that people can live in affordable housing is not radical … providing free and high-quality childcare is not radical … and lastly, and maybe most importantly, demanding that the wealthy and large corporations start paying their fair share of taxes is not radical, it is the right thing to do,” said Sanders in his speech.
Mamdani challenges the assumption that supporting the working class is radical. He is changing the way people think about how governments should be serving them. His monumental win is not only big for New York, but for all of the United States, and even the world. His videos reach people anywhere from Midtown to Mott Haven, from Minnesota to Milan.
Seeing a humorous and interesting reel or TikTok video from his campaign has people from all over the world saying, “That’s my mayor!” This phenomenon is uncommon and extraordinary. I haven’t seen any Americans claiming that Emmanuel Macron is “their president.”
But Mamdani’s social media game isn’t only sharing these engaging videos around the world; it’s making people see the things that the Mamdani administration is promising to New Yorkers, and the progress that they plan to make, and have already made. It’s sharing what’s possible when the government works for the people, and forcing people to ask themselves — why doesn’t my mayor do this for me? The first step to change is recognizing that you deserve better, and the next step is working to get it.
Zohran’s efforts in New York City will surely push people in other states to want a government that works for them, and have already begun to make people question how their governments could be doing more for them.
