TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – From an unknown assemblyman to leading ranked-choice voting simulations with 52% over Andrew Cuomo鈥檚 48%, Zohran Mamdani has now secured a decisive victory.Surging as a challenger to the former New York Governor, all eyes are largely on the 33-year-old Muslim democratic socialist for his bold focus on working-class New Yorkers.Citing reputable sources like TIME and The New York Times, this article delves deeper into the story of Zohran Mamdani, who is poised to become New York鈥檚 first South Asian and Muslim mayor.Who Is Zohran Mamdani?Zohran Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, and moved to New York City with his family at the age of seven. A graduate of the NYC public school system, he attended the Bronx High School of Science, and later earned a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College. In 2018, Mamdani became a naturalized American citizen.Before entering politics, Mamdani had already focused on advocating for working-class New Yorkers, particularly in addressing the housing crisis.He worked as a foreclosure prevention housing counselor, assisting low-income homeowners of color across Queens in fighting eviction and remaining in their homes. In 2021, he assumed office as a member of the New York State Assembly, representing District 36.Mamdani鈥檚 Vision for an Affordable New York One of the primary driving forces behind Zohran Mamdani鈥檚 political agenda is his vision for a more affordable New York City. Drawing from the values he cultivated prior to his political career, Mamdani campaigned on the promise of 鈥渓owering costs and making life easier鈥 for everyday New Yorkers.In response to the city鈥檚 ongoing housing crisis, Mamdani proposed a series of comprehensive reforms, including holding mayoral administrations accountable for rehabilitating substandard housing and significantly increasing the development of affordable housing, with an ambitious goal of tripling its construction.In addition to that, Mamdani has advocated for a broader social safety net. His proposals include freezing rents for stabilized apartments, offering fare-free bus service, and providing free childcare for any New Yorker between the age of six weeks to five years.Notably, The New York Times particularly noted Mamdani鈥檚 communication style, emphasizing his ability to present his platform in an accessible and easily understandable manner.Mamdani鈥檚 People-Powered CampaignDuring the June 4 debate, Zohran Mamdani drew a sharp contrast between himself and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, stating, 鈥淭he difference between myself and Andrew Cuomo is that my campaign is not funded by the very billionaires who put Donald Trump in D.C.鈥 He continued, 鈥淚 have to pick up the phone for the more than 20,000 New Yorkers who contributed an average donation of about $80 to break fundraising records and put our campaign in second place.鈥 He then branded his campaign as 鈥渢he largest volunteer operation in NYC history.鈥漁nline, Mamdani is just as dynamic as he is on the ground, amassing more than a million followers across Instagram and TikTok. His social media presence has gone viral, featuring visits to local restaurants, participation in social media shows like 鈥淪ubway Takes;鈥, and engagements with fellow politicians.Mamdani鈥檚 Stance on Israel and GazaA glance of Zohran Mamdani鈥檚 past activism, including co-founding his college鈥檚 first Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, reveals a consistent and clear stance on Israel and Gaza. He has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government鈥檚 treatment of people in Gaza, expressing his views not only through rhetoric but also through concrete actions.In 2023, Mamdani introduced a bill aimed at ending the tax-exempt status of New York charities linked to Israeli settlements that violate international human rights law, although the bill didn鈥檛 pass. He has also publicly supported the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.Despite these positions, Zohran Mamdani has emphasized that New York City must have no room for antisemitism, carefully distinguishing between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. If elected, he has pledged to increase funding to combat hate crimes.Editor’s Choice: Zohran Mamdani Could Win New York Democratic Mayoral PrimaryClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News