The Rise of Zohran Mamdani

October 19, 2025

In New York City’s primary in June, Zohran Mamdani didn’t just beat the odds; he blew the door off the hinges, reshaping the electorate to claim a commanding victory that reverberated through the country’s politics.

In the time since then, as this week’s cover story was being reported, Mamdani has engaged in a second primary of sorts, meeting quietly with city power brokers to consolidate support and box out his main rivals, Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams. Some of it was reported. Much of it wasn’t. Here’s the inside story of his ascent and his seemingly unstoppable path to the mayoralty.

A portrait of Mamdani, who is looking into the camera and wearing a blue suit, in front of a gray background.

Pari Dukovic for The New York Times

Inside the Improbable, Audacious and (So Far) Unstoppable Rise of Zohran Mamdani

The story of the man most likely to be the next mayor of New York City — and the promise and peril his ascent poses for the Democratic Party.

By Astead W. Herndon

Pari Dukovic for The New York Times

Five Takeaways From the Magazine’s Profile of Zohran Mamdani

How the Democratic nominee for mayor who has stunned the New York establishment is working to shore up support and sustain his momentum.

By Astead W. Herndon

Photograph by Pari Dukovic for The New York Times.

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