History of Zohran Mamdani in Timeline

Zohran Kwame Mamdani is a Uganda-born American politician representing New York's 36th State Assembly district in Queens since 2021. He is a member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America. Mamdani's political affiliation highlights his alignment with progressive values and socialist ideals within the American political landscape. His role as a state assembly member involves advocating for policies and representing the interests of his constituents in the New York State Assembly.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

October 18, 1991: Zohran Mamdani's Birth

On October 18, 1991, Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born. He is an American activist and politician.

Others born on this day/year

2015: Volunteered for Ali Najmi's campaign

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

2016: Inspired by Bernie Sanders

In 2016, Mamdani started to consider himself a democratic socialist following the 2016 presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders.

2017: Joined Democratic Socialists of America

In 2017, Mamdani joined the Democratic Socialists of America and worked for the unsuccessful campaign of Khader El-Yateem for New York City Council.

2018: Became a U.S. Citizen

In 2018, Mamdani was naturalized as an American citizen.

2018: Managed Ross Barkan's campaign

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

October 2019: Announced campaign for NY State Assembly

In October 2019, Mamdani announced his campaign for New York State Assembly in the 36th district, encompassing Astoria and Long Island City in Queens, New York.

2019: Released "Nani" single

In 2019, Mamdani released the single "Nani" under the stage name Mr. Cardamom. Cookbook author and actress Madhur Jaffrey is featured in the single's music video.

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2019: Field Organizer for Tiffany Cabán

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

June 2020: Won Democratic Primary

In June 2020, Mamdani secured a primary victory over Aravella Simotas for NY State Assembly.

November 2020: Won general election

In November 2020, Mamdani won the general election for New York State Assembly in the 36th district.

2021: Representing NY's 36th State Assembly district

Since 2021, Mamdani has represented New York's 36th State Assembly district in Queens.

December 2022: Introduced "Fix the MTA" bills

In December 2022, Mamdani introduced a series of bills called "Fix the MTA" for the 2023 session, proposing measures such as free bus travel and fare freezes.

2022: Re-elected with no opposition

In 2022, Mamdani was re-elected with no opposition in the New York State Assembly.

2022: Voted in favor of NY Proposal 1

In 2022, Mandani voted in favor of putting New York Proposal 1 on the 2024 ballot.

September 2023: MTA bus fare-free pilot program launched

In September 2023, an MTA bus fare-free pilot program, advocated for by Mamdani, was launched on the Q4, B60, Bx18, M116 and S46/96 routes.

November 2023: Hunger strike for Gaza

In November 2023, Mamdani joined Cynthia Nixon in a five-day hunger strike outside of Washington, D.C. in support of an immediate ceasefire and in opposition to President Biden's support of the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip.

2023: Weight-based vehicle-registration fee bill

In 2023, Mamdani co-introduced a bill that would enact a weight-based vehicle-registration fee to dissuade people from owning heavier vehicles.

2023: Criticism after October 7 attacks

In 2023, NY Assembly member Sam Berger criticized Mamdani's condemnation of Israel after the October 7 attacks during the Gaza war.

August 2024: End of MTA fare-free program

In August 2024, the MTA bus fare-free pilot program ended after state lawmakers did not reauthorize it.

October 23, 2024: Announced candidacy for NYC mayor

On October 23, 2024, Mamdani announced that he would enter the race for New York City mayor in 2025, with a platform including free city buses and a rent freeze.

2024: Iftar for a ceasefire in Gaza

In 2024, Mamdani held an iftar for a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan.

2024: Re-elected with no opposition

In 2024, Mamdani was re-elected with no opposition in the New York State Assembly.

2024: NY Proposal 1 approved by voters

In 2024, New York Proposal 1, which Mandani voted in favor of putting on the ballot in 2022, was successfully approved by voters.

January 2025: Member of Assembly committees

As of January 2025, Mamdani was a member of the Assembly committees.

May 2025: Primary sponsor of 20 bills

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

2025: Protested Trump's Immigration Policy

In 2025, Mamdani appeared at a rally in Union Square in Manhattan to protest the Trump Administration and Mayor Eric Adams for their immigration policy and Trump policy towards transgender Americans.

2025: Declined to sign Israel resolution

In 2025, Mamdani declined to sign the annual NY Assembly resolution celebrating the anniversary of Israel’s founding, drawing criticism.

2025: Criticized Modi's Involvement in 2002 Riots

In 2025, during a public forum, Mamdani stated that he would not share the stage with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a war criminal for his involvement in the 2002 Gujarat riots.