Editor's Note: This article was edited to correct the title of Andrew Cuomo from former mayor to former governor. The Spectrum apologizes for this error.
From pursuing a career in rap, going by the name “Young Cardamom,” to representing the 36th Assembly District in New York City, Zohran Kwame Mamdani has lived many lives. But as of today, he holds the title of the first Muslim, Indian-Ugandan mayor of New York City — a feat that sent shockwaves through the entire city, surprised he was able to defeat former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“[New York City] is overcrowded and expensive. I hope Mamdani can deliver on his promises to make [New York City] better and more affordable,” says Mohammad Sami Hasan, a senior economics major.
Mamdani has made bold promises, ensuring citizens that his mayorship would consist of free buses, affordable housing and a minimum wage increase to $30 an hour by 2030, among others. These promises made, coupled with a powerful social media presence, have allowed Mamdani to win and have led to excitement among New Yorkers hoping for a future filled with affordability and promise. In this article, we will highlight the promises made and how Mamdani hopes to accomplish them.
Housing
A majority of New Yorkers are tenants, and more than 2 million of them live in rent-stabilized apartments. Throughout the years, many residents have fled the city with a common complaint: prices. The prices of these apartments have seen a steady increase, with many families unable to keep up with monthly rent payments and constant upkeep. Mamdani has expressed that, as mayor, he would immediately call for a freezing of rent for all stabilized tenants — meaning he would aim to prevent any rent increases for the duration of his term. Through this initiative, rent for inhabitants would stay at a steady price and allow for rent payments to be consistent and achievable for tenants.
In addition to this, Mamdani has also voiced his support regarding the construction of permanently affordable, union-built, rent-stabilized homes — constructing 200,000 new units over the next 10 years. He aims to triple the city’s current number of rent-stabilized homes.
Buses
Buses are an essential mode of transportation for many New Yorkers. However, studies show that one in five residents struggle to afford rising transit costs, and New York City’s buses are among the slowest in the nation. To combat this, Mamdani believes that bus fares should be eliminated on every city bus and that service can be improved by building priority lanes, expanding bus queue jump signals and creating dedicated loading zones to keep double-parkers out of the way. Mamdani firmly believes that having a bus system that is both fast and free will improve safety and satisfaction among riders and operators.
Childcare
After housing, childcare remains one of the biggest financial burdens for many of New York City’s working families. This strain is felt most by mothers, many of whom are forced to leave paid jobs to provide unpaid childcare at home.
To address this, Mamdani plans to implement free childcare for all New Yorkers with children between 6 weeks and 5 years old. His proposal includes guaranteeing high-quality programs across the city while raising wages for childcare workers. Mamdani believes the initiative will support early childhood development, ease financial burden on families.
Labor
Currently, the minimum wage in New York City is $16.50, an hourly wage that leaves many on the brink of poverty. As mayor, Mamdani is advocating for a new law bringing the New York City wage up to $30 an hour by 2030. After this, the minimum wage will automatically increase based on the cost of living.
Conclusion
Mamdani’s ambitious agenda reflects a vision of New York City that prioritizes affordability, equity and accessibility for all. Many of his promises aim to tackle some of the city’s most pressing challenges head-on. While critics question whether these goals are financially feasible, supporters see them as a necessary step toward rebuilding a city where working families can flourish and live in a city they love dearly. In addition to this, many New Yorkers are pleased to see a Muslim in a position of power — an accomplishment that has only been achieved with Mamdani, despite it currently being the third most widely practiced religion in the city.
“Mamdani’s victory as mayor is undoubtedly a huge win and a big step for the Muslims of New York,” says Rayaan Rahman, a senior business administration major.
Whether you love him or hate him, one thing is certain — he is the mayor. Now, New Yorkers can only hope that Zohran Mamdani delivers on his promises to improve the lives of working-class people across the city.
The features desk can be reached at features@ubspectrum.com
