Growing up under the Donald Trump administration, seeing lies, corruption and chaos dominate politics, I came to believe that every politician was corrupt. I thought no one could make a real difference. Then, Zohran Mamdani came along and showed me that real, caring politicians exist.
Mamdani isn’t afraid to talk about justice, redistribution or systemic exploitation, ideas that most politicians shy away from. He is a real New Yorker: grounded, straightforward and connected to the struggles of everyday people. Listening to him, I could tell he wasn’t just making promises to win votes. He showed me that real change in New York City comes from leaders who fight for everyday New Yorkers.
Some might be wondering what I mean by “real change.” Mamdani’s platform is centered around affordability, beginning with a rent freeze to protect tenants from rising housing costs. According to City & State New York, a nonpartisan publication covering state and local politics, “in a time of economic uncertainty, easing the cost of housing for rent-stabilized tenants, who on average earn $300 less than market rate tenants, will prevent homelessness and reduce displacement.”
Mamdani has also called for improving the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) service citywide, especially in neighborhoods with limited access to public transportation. He supports expanding the city’s free bus pilot program, which launched in 2023, to make public transit more accessible and reliable for working-class New Yorkers who rely on it the most. In an interview with The Nation, a progressive magazine of political and cultural news, Mamdani spoke on this pilot program. He explained, “We saw ridership increase by more than 30 %, [and] assaults on bus drivers decrease by 39 %.”
Beyond public transit and freezing the rent, Mamdani supports raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour through a process of increases beginning with $20 in 2027, $23.50 in 2028, $27 in 2029 and $30 in 2030, according to Mamdani’s website. He also plans to tie the minimum wage to inflation, ensuring that workers’ pay keeps up with the rising cost of living. This plan is crucial for protecting working New Yorkers from economic insecurity and making sure full-time work in New York City provides a livable income.
Mamdani’s leadership style features the same boldness present in his policies. Per ABC News, when President Trump threatened to withhold federal funds if Mamdani were elected, Mamdani responded cleverly, saying, “Trump is going through the stages of grief,” and shrugged off concerns over funding cuts. By directly confronting Trump’s attacks and refusing to be intimidated, Mamdani reinforced that his policies and vision for New York are about fairness and serving the people, not political gamesmanship.
Although, what really sets Mamdani apart is not only his platform, but how he connects with people and listens to their struggles. Mamdani has ignited young voters through TikTok and his active presence in communities citywide. In the 14 days leading up to the registration deadline for the Democratic primary, about 37,000 people registered to vote, compared with only 3,000 in the same period in 2021, according to The New York Times. His campaign focused on registering new voters and mobilizing those who had previously abstained, building an army of volunteers to reach neighborhoods across the city. Through his TikTok and neighborhood presence, he made people like me excited to get involved.
Some critics argue Mamdani is too idealistic and that his lack of experience make him a questionable choice for mayor. Fox News claims his agenda is dangerous for business, the Manhattan Institute warned it could deter investment, and Politico questioned whether rent freezes are realistic. It’s true that Mamdani is relatively new to politics, but his fresh perspective allows him to challenge entrenched systems with bold, people-centered ideas. Moreover, the policies he is proposing are rooted in fairness and justice. Measures like free buses, universal childcare and a rising minimum wage are simply humane and necessary. His proposals would empower working New Yorkers, boost labor force participation and strengthen the local economy. These criticisms don’t disprove his vision; they underscore how much he challenges a system built for corporations rather than people.
Mamdani’s campaign has inspired young voters, tenants, progressives and people who had given up on politics. For the first time, it feels like government could actually work for everyone, not just for the wealthy and powerful. At a time when most politicians avoid challenging the system, his willingness to fight for change and his genuinely people-centered approach has restored my faith in politics. Though I cannot vote as a 17-year-old, I urge everyone who can vote to go to the polls this election. Cast your ballot for a more humane, affordable and just city for all.