Reviewed September 20, 2026.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani is the mayor of New York City. He took office on January 1, 2026, after representing New York State Assembly District 36, which includes Astoria, Ditmars-Steinway, and Astoria Heights in Queens. The city’s official website identifies him as its 112th mayor. Source: NYC Mayor’s Office

Background and education

Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991, according to his remarks in the New York State Assembly’s February 2, 2021, proceedings. In those remarks, he explained that his middle name, Kwame, refers to Ghanaian independence leader Kwame Nkrumah. Source: New York State Assembly transcript, page 6

He graduated from Bowdoin College in 2014, majoring in Africana studies and minoring in government. Bowdoin reports that he worked on its student newspaper, The Bowdoin Orient, and later worked as a foreclosure-prevention housing counselor in Queens before entering elected office. Source: Bowdoin College

Political career timeline

Political affiliations

He won the Democratic mayoral nomination in 2025. DSA’s November 13, 2025, newsletter separately identifies him as a member of that organization. Sources: Bowdoin College, DSA newsletter

In his inaugural address, Mamdani described himself as a democratic socialist and said that this identification would continue during his mayoralty. This is his stated political identification. The separate guides to democratic socialism and the Democratic Socialists of America explain the terminology and organization. Source: inaugural address

Public statements and government records

In the January 1 address, Mamdani set out goals including universal childcare financed through higher taxation of wealthy residents, a rent freeze for rent-stabilized homes, and faster buses without fares. These were statements of his administration’s intended agenda at inauguration; the speech alone does not establish whether a proposal subsequently became law, received funding, or took effect. Source: inaugural address

The Mayor’s Office publishes dated announcements, transcripts, and executive orders. Those records document particular statements and government actions, while an inaugural address records the administration’s stated priorities at the start of its term. Sources: Mayor’s Office news archive, inaugural address