Zohran Mamdani: Why Are Gen Zs Paying Attention?
- Safiyyah Mitha
- Sep 30
- 5 min read
Fresh off his primary mayoral win, Zohran Mamdani is drawing attention far beyond New York. But what makes this one dude from NYC so compelling to Gen Zs worldwide?
Amid an era where many young people feel disillusioned with politics, a 33-year-old assemblyman from New York, and recent winner of the NYC Democratic mayoral primary, has managed to capture not only national attention but also the enthusiasm of Gen Z far beyond his district. Zohran Mamdani, known for his unapologetically progressive manifesto and people-first campaign, has emerged as a voice that feels relatable yet uncompromising.
From freezing rents to taxes on big corporations and the wealthiest New Yorkers, his policies speak directly with concerns regarding affordability and fairness, issues that resonate with young people worldwide. For youth in Malaysia and elsewhere, Mamdani represents the possibility of a new kind of politics: authentic, bold, and willing to challenge existing systems often seen as serving the wealthy and powerful. Yet his rise has also stirred doubts among older, more traditional voters, who question his age, experience, and firm leftist stance.
Who IS Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani’s story is as global as the politics he represents. Born in Uganda to Indian parents and raised in a Muslim household, he moved to New York City at a young age. Before Zohran’s entry into politics, he worked as a housing counsellor, assisting low-income tenants in Queens navigate New York’s housing crisis. During this time, he even had a stint as a rapper, performing as ‘Young Cardamom,’ where his music celebrated his culture and gave audiences a more personal glimpse of who he is. Throughout his career, Mamdani has been unafraid to make his identity as a Muslim immigrant visible, even in the face of Islamophobia and racism.
As he once put it, “We know that to stand in public as a Muslim is also to sacrifice the safety that we can sometimes find in the shadows.” By embracing his roots openly, Mamdani has transformed what are often unjust vulnerabilities into sources of strength and authenticity, using his lived experiences to challenge the political establishment and to connect with marginalised communities. This may be why his victory in the NYC Democratic primary is seen not only as his own, but as a win for the communities he represents!
Why Are Gen Zs Paying Attention?
For many young people, politics can feel distant or unrelatable. Zohran Mamdani cuts through that distance by speaking directly to issues that shape Gen Z’s everyday lives: housing costs, affordability, and inequality. His proposals aren’t just bold statements; they target the fundamentals, or the necessities, tackling the everyday anxieties of New York’s working class.
Hasan Piker, a political commentator and Twitch streamer well-known among Gen Z audiences, argues that Mamdani’s appeal lies in his substance rather than his style. “He [Mamdani] asked people, ‘Why did you vote for Trump? What are some of your biggest concerns?’ He identified five of them and said, ‘These are my five policies. I’m running on this: I’m going to do a rent freeze, make the buses fast and free, increase the housing supply, and tax the super rich.’ And people looked at that and were like, ‘Okay, that sounds great. That’s exactly what I’m looking for.’ It’s actually the policies that caused people to pay attention to him,” Piker noted in a recent NPR network interview.
How Mamdani Uses His Online Platform
In an era dominated by corporate media, where many politicians struggle to connect online, Mamdani's presence within the media feels genuine rather than manufactured. His videos, often styled in his three signature yet simple Bollywood-inspired colours of vibrant red, mustard yellow, and blue, speak for Mamdani’s charisma and confidence while symbolising a politics that is bold, approachable, and distinctly outside the establishment.
He has collaborated with popular NYC internet talk shows such as ‘Subway Talks’, and frequently highlights local culture by interviewing owners of local staples like halal carts and bodegas, drawing attention to the rising costs of living caused by inflation. Through this creative approach, Zohran has not only distinguished his campaign style but also amplified his reach particularly among Gen Z audiences worldwide! Amid our endless doomscrolling on social media, seeing Mamdani’s genuineness stands out. For many, his people-first politics and ability to spotlight the marginalised communities of NYC online make him a rare figure of hope in a time of political disillusionment.
Speaking Where Others Stay Silent
What also makes Mamdani compelling is his willingness to speak on global issues, from Palestine to inequality in the Global South. Unlike many of his rivals in the NYC mayoral race, he has not shied away from topics often considered “taboo.” “You are told by well-meaning individuals that the more you want to accomplish, the less you should speak up about Palestine. And what made it central to my identity is that that is a glaring contradiction,” Mamdani said in an interview with Uncivilized Media.
This stance resonates with Gen Z’s growing belief that politics and the idea of humanity must extend beyond national borders. Mamdani is the type of guy who isn’t afraid to sit on a national news panel beside his mayoral contenders and proudly prioritise humanity and international law over the safer, more complicit option of putting money first, unlike his rivals. For a generation that wants leaders who sound like them and share their concerns, that combination makes him hard to ignore.
Despite his growing popularity, Mamdani faces criticism from opponents who argue that, at 33, he lacks the experience needed to lead a city as complex as New York. Critics dismiss his ambitious, left-leaning policies as idealistic and impractical, questioning whether he can translate these bold policies into lasting reform. His main competitor, Andrew Cuomo, offers an opposing image: decades of political experience and name recognition. Yet Cuomo’s candidacy is weighed down by credible allegations of sexual harassment that led to his disgraceful resignation in 2021…
Concluding Thoughts
Zohran Mamdani’s rise shows how politics can look different when driven by authenticity, bold ideas, and lived experience. For Gen Zs, he represents proof that young voices can shape the future. As the first Muslim candidate to gain such momentum in New York, his presence alone challenges the status quo. That visibility also explains why critics fear him: Mamdani’s campaign is about putting people before power. With the mayoral elections set for November 4, 2025, all eyes are on whether his message will transform victory into change.
Writer's Notes:
When I first came across Zohran Mamdani on my instagram reels FYP in June, I was immediately struck by how wholeheartedly progressive yet relatable he is. In a world where so many leaders feel complicit and ignorant, he stood out as someone different, someone who actually prioritises people, liberation, and justice over power and profit, which sounds so simple but so rare in our current political landscape. As the first Muslim contender in New York’s mayoral race, I found it so refreshing to see someone who, in some ways, feels like me: unapologetic about their identity and unafraid to critique the system with passion! Reading the comments under his posts, I noticed many supporters rooting for him, not just New Yorkers, but people worldwide. How exactly did his videos reach me all the way in Malaysia, and why is this guy so beloved by many, especially the younger generation? That’s when I knew I had to write this piece!
About the Writer:
Safiyyah is currently a Foundation Programme student at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, where she has lived since 2018 after moving from the UK and Qatar. With a strong interest in politics and advocacy, she plans to pursue International Relations for her undergraduate degree. Beyond academics, she loves watching movies (especially at the cinemas), funny internet content, and spending time with family and friends.
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