When New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani entered New York City's Democratic mayoral primary race, he was facing a 25-point deficit against former governor Andrew Cuomo. Political insiders dismissed his chances — a Democratic Socialist known for his vocal pro-Palestinian stance taking on a generational household name? Conventional wisdom said Mamdani would be the perfect bogeyman, allowing Cuomo to rally older voters and coast to victory despite his apparent disdain for the city he hasn't lived in for over 20 years.
Those seeing Mamdani's victory as an overnight success are missing the bigger picture — namely, the political movement built over decades, largely by young people, that made this moment possible. Organizations like NYC Democratic Socialists of America, NY Working Families Party, Make the Road NY, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, NY Communities for Change, and many student-led groups have been laying the groundwork since US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's breakthrough to Congress, and even further back. Recent elections have been incredibly successful in bringing new progressive voices to the City Council and the State Legislature. Every victory — and every loss — was followed by serious analysis and continued organizing by movement leaders.
We are the co-executive directors of TREEage, a student organization with 1,500+ members across the city's five boroughs. We've been formally endorsing in local elections since 2020, so our high school and college student members are already veterans of several campaign cycles. We felt the overwhelming enthusiasm from our membership, with 93% of TREEage members voting to endorse Mamdani.
Our members have known Mamdani for years as a vocal and effective ally in Albany. Throughout his time in office, we've achieved clear victories together: blocking the construction of a fossil fuel plant in Astoria and passing the Build Public Renewables Act, which mandates publicly owned green energy statewide. Mamdani even adopted our visionary Green Schools platform, calling for the electrification of public schools across the city, something our members have been advocating for years. Over 560 TREEage members took action to make this victory possible because they want their vision to become a reality.
The enthusiasm goes beyond typical political engagement. We watched members and previously nonpolitical friends post about Mamdani on social media and, more importantly, sign up to volunteer and knock on doors. Young people pushed their parents and family members to get out and vote for a candidate who would fight for their future. Young progressive voters are stepping into their full economic and political power, frustrated with geriatric leaders making decisions for a world that no longer exists. To voters, Mamdani is someone who truly cares about this city and can clearly articulate his beliefs and a real vision for the city.
His campaign spoke directly to our pain as young New Yorkers: skyrocketing rent and a historic affordability crisis transforming our city. People desperately sought a leader who authentically heard their struggles and offered genuine solutions. From city-owned bodegas to rent freezes, Mamdani's clear agenda and genuine love for NYC were so apparent that many campaign supporters weren't just there for the good vibes, but could actually name his policy proposals.
His platform was created by and for New York. Born-and-raised New Yorkers and transplants united to preserve the city we all call home. This victory was made possible by his moral clarity and a tangible vision we can fight for.
Critics dismissed Mamdani as appealing only to young people, but despite $25 million in opposition spending and virulent Islamophobia, he built a multiethnic, intergenerational, politically diverse coalition. South Asian voters across Queens turned out in unprecedented numbers. He won Upper Manhattan and Hispanic voters citywide. Volunteers ranging from teenagers to aunties spoke to voters in over 20 languages, and posters went up in languages reflecting their community. One of the most heartwarming moments for us was watching a Bangladeshi imam speak Spanish to community members in Corona, Queens, urging them to vote for Mamdani: a beautiful gesture of solidarity.
The viral video outreach done in Hindi, Bangla, and Spanish also stood out as genuine invitations to those long dismissed by politicians, treating viewers as serious political stakeholders in the city's future, and legitimately informing them about ranked-choice voting, still a fairly new system in New York City. Campaign and user-generated content have been shared in WhatsApp group chats and even remixed at clubs.
Poll after poll showed New Yorkers' frustration with ineffective Democratic leaders failing to counter Republicans who are threatening our city's fabric. As community members are taken off the streets by ICE, attacks on our trans neighbors increase, the genocide in Gaza continues, international war looms, and billionaires control the national government, Mamdani's victory has given people desperately needed hope. Thousands (if not millions) of people across the country saw themselves and the future we need in Mamdani at a time when the future feels in question. Community was built at multiple levels, from City Comptroller Brad Lander cross-endorsing with Mamdani to "Hot Girls for Zohran" and dozens of other affinity groups.
So what happens now? Winning the general election is the next step, but the real work to govern this city starts today. Big money opposition isn't disappearing — it will likely only increase, and we'll see continued and heightened racist attacks. But when we organize with purpose and persistence, we don't just participate in democracy — we reshape it entirely. Our members and the campaign’s 50,000+ volunteers are hungry to stay involved, make decisions, and build our future together. That's exactly why Mamdani won.
