Zohran Mamdani's rise has sparked hope among many of New York City's more than 300,000 South Asian residents.
For comedian Hari Kondabolu, who has been friends with Mamdani for 15 years, the candidate's success in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary feels like a personal victory.
“My mom was texting her friends to vote for him. I’ve never seen my mother do that before,” Kondabolu shared. “So the idea that it’s gotten our whole family activated in this way — this is, like, personal.”
Mamdani shocked the city’s political establishment on Tuesday when he claimed victory in the primary, a ranked choice election where his main opponent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, ultimately conceded.
When Mamdani launched his campaign, the democratic socialist was considered a long shot. Now, the 33-year-old state assemblyman stands poised to become New York City’s first Asian American and Muslim mayor. Born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian parents, Mamdani moved to the United States at age 7 and became a citizen in 2018.
For Kondabolu, this moment is deeply significant.
“I think so many of us have had those experiences in New York of being brown and in a city that has always been really diverse and feels like ours. But after 9/11, like you start to question it like, is this our city too,” he explained. “And 25 years later ... it’s surreal, like this is the same city but it’s not because we’ve elected this person.”
Mamdani’s campaign has captured the attention of South Asian communities — including Indian, Pakistani, and other groups — and many Muslims, even among those who may not align with all his views. For some, his success symbolizes progress in a city that has seen waves of racism and xenophobia, especially following the September 11 attacks.
Snigdha Sur, founder and CEO of The Juggernaut, a media outlet focusing on South Asians, observed how Mamdani’s rise has resonated beyond U.S. borders.
“So many global South Asians ... they’re like, ‘Oh, this guy is my mayor and I don’t live in New York City,’” Sur noted.
Still, Mamdani’s outspoken criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — whom he labeled a “war criminal” — has sparked anger and concern in some circles.
In Michigan, Thasin Sardar has been closely following Mamdani’s political journey online. He was immediately drawn to Mamdani's authenticity.
“As a Muslim American, this victory puts my trust back in the people,” said Sardar, who was born and raised in India. “I am happy that there are people who value the candidate and his policies more than his personal religious beliefs and didn’t vote him down because of the color of his skin, or the fact that he was an immigrant with an uncommon name.”
Zainab Shabbir, a New York City voter, said her family in California and elsewhere have been excited by the news.
“My family in California, they were very much like, ‘Oh, it’s so nice to see a South Asian Muslim candidate be a mayor of a major city,’” she said. She added that her brother believes Mamdani’s success sets a strong example for his children.
However, for Shabbir, Mamdani’s political platform was the real motivation behind her support. The 34-year-old, who donated to his campaign, voted for him, and canvassed, said his vision for the city resonated.
She met Mamdani briefly at a fundraiser and described him as “very friendly and genuine.” She believes his campaign could inspire political engagement among more Muslim Americans, particularly those more focused on politics in their home countries.
“There’s a lot of Muslim communities like my parents’ generation who are focused a lot more on the politics back home and less on the politics here in America,” said Shabbir. “Seeing people like Zohran Mamdani be in office, it’ll really change that perspective in a lot of people.”
