Zorhan Mamdani for New York City

In 2022, New York had 2.9 million households paying 30 percent or more of their income for housing. A number higher than the entire population of the Borough of Brooklyn, there was no doubt that a political candidate would bring the issue to the forefront of the election. Zohran Mamdani would make that issue a founding pillar in his campaign promise rather than a talking point.

The 33-year-old Democratic Mayoral candidate includes support for a rent freeze, free city buses, public child care, and city-owned grocery stores. His fight to resolve the housing and affordability crisis has garnered support from young and BIPOC New Yorkers like his social colleague Bernie Sanders. Just like Sanders, his battle against seasoned Democrats like Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo is uphill but not without hope.