How Mamdani Went From Little-Known Socialist Lawmaker to NYC Mayor
The 34-year-old’s deft use of social media, focus on affordability and a lackluster slate of other candidates propelled him to victory
By James Fanelli
When Zohran Mamdani was three years into his term as a state legislator last summer, he approached his political allies with a plan to run for New York City mayor that even they doubted he could pull off.
Leaders of the Democratic Socialists of America were initially reluctant to take a chance on the young politician with a thin resume and little name recognition, and they worried a bad showing could get the organization written off as a fringe group.
“The risks were that there was a narrow path to victory and we could underperform,” said Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the city’s DSA. “It took probably a hundred conversations with leaders in the organization to move the institution and for all of us to take this big risk together with him.”
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