Career Timeline of Zohran Mamdani: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Zohran Mamdani, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani is an American politician currently serving as a New York State Assembly member for the 36th district in Queens since 2021. Affiliated with the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, he is notable for being the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City in the upcoming 2025 election. His political career is centered in New York, and he is actively involved in local politics.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2002: Mamdani's Accusation Against Narendra Modi

In 2002, Mamdani accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of orchestrating a mass slaughter of Muslims in Gujarat during riots where many Muslims and Hindus died. He compared Modi to Israel's Netanyahu.

2015: First Collaboration with HAB

In 2015, Mamdani began working with Ugandan rapper HAB. Their first song was Kanda [Chap Chap], about chapati.

2015: Volunteered for Ali Najmi's Campaign

In 2015, Mamdani volunteered for Ali Najmi's campaign in the special election for the 23rd district of the New York City Council.

2016: Produced Soundtrack for Queen of Katwe

In 2016, Mamdani curated and produced the soundtrack for his mother Mira Nair's film "Queen of Katwe".

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2016: Collaboration with Ugandan Rapper HAB

In 2016, under the name Young Cardamom, Mamdani collaborated with Ugandan rapper HAB on an EP titled "Sidda Mukyaalo" and performed at the Nyege Nyege festival in Jinja, Uganda.

2017: Joined Democratic Socialists of America

In 2017, Mamdani joined the New York City chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and worked for the campaign of Khader El-Yateem.

2018: Campaign Manager for Ross Barkan

In 2018, Mamdani served as the campaign manager for Ross Barkan's bid for the New York State Senate.

October 2019: Announced Campaign for State Assembly

In October 2019, Mamdani announced his campaign to represent New York's 36th State Assembly district.

2019: Field Organizer for Tiffany Cabán's Campaign

In 2019, Mamdani was a field organizer for Tiffany Cabán's campaign for Queens County District Attorney.

2019: Released Single Nani

In 2019, Mamdani, under the moniker Mr. Cardamom, released a single titled "Nani", an homage to his maternal grandmother, with Madhur Jaffrey in the music video.

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June 2020: Tweet on Defunding NYPD

In June 2020, Mamdani tweeted in support of defunding the NYPD, describing it as racist and a threat to public safety.

June 2020: Won Primary Victory Over Simotas

In June 2020, Mamdani won the Democratic primary against Aravella Simotas, though the victory took almost a month to call.

2020: Elected to the New York State Assembly

In 2020, Mamdani was elected to the New York State Assembly, defeating Aravella Simotas in the Democratic primary.

2021: Became a New York State Assembly Member

In 2021, Zohran Mamdani began serving as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 36th district, based in Queens.

December 2022: Mamdani Introduces 'Fix the MTA' Bills

In December 2022, Mamdani introduced a series of bills for the 2023 session called "Fix the MTA". He proposed free bus travel and a fare freeze at $2.75, while addressing the MTA's shortfall and increasing service frequency.

2022: Re-elected to New York State Assembly

In 2022, Mamdani was re-elected to the New York State Assembly without opposition.

September 2023: Launch of fare-free pilot program on MTA buses

In September 2023, a fare-free pilot program on MTA buses, advocated for by Mamdani, was launched on the Q4, B60, Bx18, M116 and S46/96 routes. The program resulted in a 30% increase in ridership on weekdays, predominantly from people earning less than $28,000 a year.

2023: Mamdani's Bill on Vehicle Registration and Support for Congestion Pricing

In 2023, Mamdani co-introduced a bill to enact a weight-based vehicle-registration fee. He also supports congestion pricing in New York City and drafted a bill with New York State Senator Michael Gianaris to increase bus service frequency and increase the number of fare-free buses.

2023: Mamdani's 'Fix the MTA' Bills proposal

In 2023, Mamdani proposed free bus travel over the next four years across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and then Manhattan and Staten Island. The Formula Three Act aimed to address the MTA's $2.5 billion shortfall and freeze fares at $2.75.

2023: Keynote Speaker at DSA Convention

In 2023, Mamdani was the keynote speaker at the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) convention.

August 2024: End of fare-free pilot program on MTA buses

In August 2024, the fare-free pilot program on MTA buses ended after state lawmakers did not reauthorize it. In response, Mamdani criticized the MTA's opposition to the program.

October 2024: Announced Candidacy for Mayor of New York City

In October 2024, Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City in the 2025 election, advocating for policies such as fare-free city buses and public childcare.

October 23, 2024: Announced Candidacy for Mayor

On October 23, 2024, Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City in 2025 with a platform including free city buses.

2024: Mamdani's support for Proposal 1

In 2024, Mamdani supported Proposal 1, an amendment to the Constitution of New York that aimed to prevent discrimination based on various factors like ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

2024: Re-elected to New York State Assembly

In 2024, Mamdani was re-elected to the New York State Assembly without opposition.

January 2025: Member of Assembly Committees

As of January 2025, Mamdani was a member of nine Assembly committees, including the Committee on Aging and the Committee on Energy.

February 2025: Mamdani protests Trump's executive order

In February 2025, Mamdani attended a rally in Union Square to protest President Trump's executive order that threatened to withhold federal funding from hospitals providing gender-affirming treatments to trans youth. He supports expanding and protecting gender-affirming care citywide and proposed an investment of $65 million in public providers.

March 12, 2025: Mamdani confronts Tom Homan

On March 12, 2025, Mamdani confronted Tom Homan, the former acting director of ICE, in Albany regarding the arrest of student activist Mahmoud Khalil. During the confrontation, Mamdani questioned Homan's belief in the First Amendment.

March 2025: Only legislator not to miss a session

As of March 2025, Mamdani was the only state legislator in the mayoral race not to miss a session in Albany in 2025.

May 2025: Sponsor and Co-sponsor of Bills

As of May 2025, Mamdani had been the primary sponsor of 20 bills in the Assembly and the co-sponsor of 238 bills.

June 2025: Interview with Der Blatt

In a June 2025 interview with Der Blatt, Mamdani expressed a desire to defend Hasidic yeshivas and work to protect the Hasidic way of life.

June 24, 2025: Won Democratic Nomination for NYC Mayor

On June 24, 2025, Mamdani won the Democratic nomination for mayor, defeating Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates.

September 2025: Potential Apology for NYPD Description

In September 2025, during the mayoral race, Mamdani said he would apologize for describing the NYPD as racist, emphasizing their importance in dealing with violent crime.

2025: Mamdani's statement on Israel and Gaza

In 2025, Mamdani stated his belief that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. He also asserted that if Benjamin Netanyahu were to visit New York City, he should be arrested in accordance with the International Criminal Court's warrant for his arrest.

2025: Mamdani's statement on Vladimir Putin

In 2025, Mamdani stated that if Russian President Vladimir Putin were to visit New York, he would order Putin's arrest, in accordance with the International Criminal Court's warrant.