New York City's Indian American mayor ushers in new era for Asian Americans

Zohran Mandani was sworn in as New York City's mayor in a subway station.

As the confetti settles over City Hall, Asian Americans across New York’s five boroughs are waking up to a reality that felt like a distant dream just a few years ago. 

Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City, symbolically held his private swearing-in ceremony at the historic, decommissioned City Hall subway station just after midnight on New Year's Day 2026, aligning with his campaign promises for public transit and accessibility. 

He then took the subway to his first day in office, rubbing elbows with surprised commuters, further emphasizing his commitment to public transport and representing everyday New Yorkers, making it a significant visual moment for his new administration.

As the 112th Mayor of New York City, the US's largest city and the country's financial and business center, Mamdani's installation marked a seismic shift in the American political landscape.

For the Asian American community, Mamdani’s rise isn't just another win—it’s a definitive "arrival." 

Here is the social significance of Mayor Mamdani’s historic moment for Asian Americans:

Breaking the ultimate Ggass ceiling

For decades, New York’s Asian American community — the fastest-growing demographic in the city — has been described as a "sleeping giant." With Mamdani, the giant hasn't just woken up; it’s taken the driver's seat.

Mamdani is the city’s first Asian American, first South Asian, and first Muslim mayor. For a community often relegated to the "model minority" sideline, seeing a South Asian man sworn in on the steps of City Hall—using a Quran from the Schomburg Center—shatters the trope of the "perpetual foreigner."

Mamdani didn't win by appealing to elite donors; he won by organizing the taxi drivers of Richmond Hill, the street vendors of Jackson Heights, and the delivery workers of Sunset Park.

His victory signals that Asian American political identity is shifting toward working-class solidarity. By focusing on rent freezes and transit equity, he proved that the "Asian vote" is driven by the same economic anxieties as any other New Yorker.

Early data shows a massive spike in turnout among South Asian and Indo-Caribbean voters, proving that when the community sees one of their own fighting for their specific needs, they show up at the ballot box.

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani surprised fellow subway riders.

Representation matters

Representation is a hollow word without power, and Mamdani is already filling his administration with faces that reflect the city’s diversity.

One of his first major moves was appointing Ali Najmi, a champion for civil rights and the South Asian community, to lead the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. This isn't just optics; it’s a structural change meant to ensure the city’s legal system finally understands the nuances of the immigrant experience.

As we often discuss here at Views From the Edge, the Asian American community is not a monolith. Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform has sparked intense debate within the diaspora.

Mamdani’s mayoralty represents a new chapter of belonging. For the kid in Flushing or the family in Kensington, for the Filipino American nurses, the South Asian taxi drivers to Asian American small business owners, the Mayor of the greatest city in the world finally looks like them, speaks like them, and understands the struggle of the hustle.

While younger voters are energized by his progressive stance, some older, more conservative segments of the Chinese and Indian communities remain skeptical of his fiscal policies. This tension is actually a sign of political maturity — it shows a community that is no longer just "happy to be here," but is actively debating the future of the city.

His victory signals that Asian American political identity is shifting toward working-class solidarity. By focusing on rent freezes and transit equity, he proved that the "Asian vote" is driven by the same economic anxieties as any other New Yorker.

Early data shows a massive spike in turnout among South Asian and Indo-Caribbean voters, proving that when the community sees one of their own fighting for their specific needs, they show up at the ballot box.

Mamdani's socialist principles ran counter to establishment politics and his governance is seen as a test case for whether the left can successfully implement large-scale socialist policies in a major American city.

His ambitious platform catering to the working class includes free public transit, universal childcare, rent freezes, and increased minimum wage, funded by higher taxes on corporations and the rich.

The "sleeping giant" is officially in charge. Now, the real work begins.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

NYC Mayoral race: Zohran Mamdani awakens AAPI voters

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Zohran Mamdani had the the overwhelming support of South Asian communities.

Concerns about the economy and the prospect of electing an Asian American for mayor sparked renewed enthusiasm among New York City's Asian American voters.

The numbers are in from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) and they're talking loud and clear! The days of taking the Asian American vote for granted are officially over in New York City. The AALDEF, working with the Asian American Federation (AAF), has just dropped the results of their massive multilingual exit poll, and the findings are historic

First up: Zohran Mamdani is your new mayor, and the Asian American community played a huge part. Nearly half (49.1%) of the 1,298 Asian American voters they surveyed backed Mamdani. That's a significant chunk of the electorate, and it clearly shows that candidates who reach out in-language and focus on specific community issues get results!

“The results of the exit poll show that Asian American voters in New York City are not a monolith — they are discerning, issue-driven, and deeply engaged in shaping the city’s future,” said Catherine Chen, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian American Federation. “When half of our community names the economy as their top concern, and at a time when SNAP benefits are being taken away, it’s a reminder that elected leaders must engage with us not only during election season but in shaping policies that secure opportunity and fairness year-round.”

        FYI: More findings of the AALDEF/AAF exit poll

And get this: the economy was the number one issue on voters' minds. It's no surprise, with the cost-of-living crisis hitting many families hard. Mamdani's platform, which included a rent freeze and universal child care, clearly resonated.

But it gets more interesting. 

The poll reveals some fascinating cross-currents. While 58.1% of those polled disapproved of Trump's immigration policies, about one in five who voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election still pulled the lever for Mamdani in this mayoral race. That tells you Asian American voters aren't a monolith; they're savvy and willing to split their tickets based on local issues and candidates who speak to their needs.

Also, a new generation is getting involved. Twenty percent of younger voters (ages 18 to 29) were first-time voters in this election. This youth surge, likely driven by issues like affordability and representation, is a powerful new force in NYC politics.

Key findings of the NYC Asian AmericanExit Poll

• Asian American voters favored Mamdani for Mayor, including 20% of 2024 Trump Voters

• About half (49.1%) of Asian American voters who participated in the exit poll voted for Mamdani and roughly one-third (33.8%) voted for Cuomo. Notably, an overwhelming 87.2% of South Asian voters cast their ballots for Mamdani, while 9.6% voted for Cuomo.

• Who respondents voted for in the 2024 presidential election made a difference in their choices for mayor. Nearly three-quarters of those who voted for Harris in 2024 cast their ballot on Election Day 2025 for Mamdani, while 65% of those who voted for Trump in 2024 voted for Cuomo. However, significantly, 20% of those who voted for Trump in 2024 voted for Mamdani.

In some neighborhoods, such as parts of southern Brooklyn with large South Asian and immigrant populations, Mamdani's local appeal and positions on specific issues drew support, sometimes even from those who had previously voted for Trump for different reasons, such as a desire for an end to foreign conflicts or lower prices.

South Asians are reliably Democratic, says Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI data at the University of California, Berkeley in a CNN interview. “They identify more with Democrats, and then, over time, they support the policies of the Democratic Party that go beyond, you know, race and religion.”

“This victory marks a powerful moment for our city and for immigrant communities across New York who have long deserved to see themselves represented in leadership,” Michelle Amor, president of the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York, told Inquirer.net USA. 

Key platforms and policies that resonated with Asian American and immigrant communities included:

Affordable Housing: A central pillar was a proposal to freeze the rent for one million New Yorkers in rent-controlled apartments and to build 200,000 new affordable housing units over a decade. Polling data indicated that a majority of AAPI adults in the city supported rent freezes.

Affordable Transportation: Mamdani advocated for making public buses free for riders in New York City, a policy with a pilot program initiated during his time as a State Assembly member. This resonated with working-class individuals, including many immigrant taxi drivers with whom he had previously organized a hunger strike for debt relief.

Affordable Childcare: He proposed making childcare free for children between six weeks and five years old and providing "baby baskets" of necessities to new parents.

Immigrant Rights: As a naturalized citizen himself, Mamdani advocated for strengthening sanctuary city laws and increasing legal support for immigrants facing targeted actions from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Economic Relief: Other proposals included creating city-run grocery stores to lower food costs, increasing taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations to fund social programs, and making CUNY tuition-free.

Culturally Specific Outreach: The campaign produced materials and videos in various South Asian languages (Hindi/Urdu, Bengali, etc.) and worked with community-based organizations like DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving) and CAAAV (Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence) to engage voters on material issues affecting their daily lives.

This approach, focusing on universal, working-class issues, helped to dramatically increase voter turnout among South Asians and draw support from other Asian American communities.

The message here is crystal clear for any politician with their eyes on City Hall or beyond: Ignore Asian American voters at your peril. Our communities are a major force, and we're only getting stronger.

“Asian American communities are a force in New York City elections—that is undeniable,” said Bethany Li, executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. “Our communities have too often been ignored by those in power, but elected officials and political candidates can no longer afford to overlook our voices or our priorities. ... Our city’s leaders should take note.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

New York City elects its first Asian American mayor

 

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With his mother, film director Mira Nair, at his side, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani
waved to his supporters after his victory speech Tuesday night

Zohran Mamdani, who was elected as the 111th mayor on Tuesday, will make history in several other ways, including being the city's first Muslim mayor, first Indian American mayor, and the first mayor born in Africa (specifically, in Kampala, Uganda). At age 35, he will also be the youngest mayor in over a century.

"New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight -- led by immigrants," said Mamdani at his stirring victory party in Brooklyn

"So, hear tme Donald Trump when I say: To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us," challenged the New York state Assemblymember.

A large reason Mamdani won was the support he received from the Asian American communities. Mamdani received 61% of the Asian electorate, according to MSNBC.ynDuring his campaign, Mamdani actively reached out to South Asian communities, releasing videos in Urdu and Bengali, and visiting temples and mosques across New York. He also received the majority of East Asian votes in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn.

Mamdani's victory stunned the city's political establishment which backed Andrew Cuomo, fwho served 11 years as New York's governor. With 50.4% of the votes, the Democrats' candidate bested Republican Curtis Sliwa, 7.1% and independant Andrew Cuomo, 41.6%

It was a strange campaign that saw Repubilcan Donald Trump end Democrat former President Barack Obama endorsing the establishment candidate, former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo. who was running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the primary. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) endorsed Mamdani at the week before the election. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) never did.

A self-described Democratic socialist, Mamdani was accused as being a communist by  his foes, Trump and Cuomo. His rivals tried to stir up Islamaphobia by linking him to 9/11, the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers.

Mamdani appealed to voters' main concerns of affordability by campaigning on his populist promises of rent freezes for stabilized housing units, free city buses, pilot programs for city-run grocery stores and higher taxes on corporations and the ultra rich individuals.

And throughout the campaign, Donald Trump was always in the background as immigrant communities became more fearful of going out in public, attending school,  and attending religious services. Trump even threatened to withhold federal funds if Mamdani won.

“If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him,” Mamdani said.

“This is not only how we stop Trump. It’s how we stop the next one,” Mamdani added.

“So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: ‘Turn the volume up’.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Race, religion, and the New York City mayoral race

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In an emotional speech, Zohran Mamdani defends his faith against "racist and baseless" attacks.

It was inevitable that in the 2025 New York City mayoral contest, race has become a significant and controversial factor, fueled by rhetoric from opponents of Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who is Indian American and a Muslim.

The controversy grew more heated after Indian American Mamdani's used the word "auntie" emerged from his emotional speech on October 25, in which he spoke out against what he described as anti-Islamic attacks on his campaign.

In his speech, Mamdani described the discrimination he faced while growing up in the shadow of 9/11, including how his name could be misconstrued and his family's fears. He recalled how one of his "aunties" was so frightened that she stopped taking the subway while wearing her hijab, "as if her existence itself was a provocation".

In Asian Indian culture, the term "auntie" is used as a broad term of respect for any older woman with whom one has a social or familial connection, not only a blood relative. The use of "auntie" can extend to neighbors, close family friends, and distant relatives, making it a culturally accepted and affectionate honorific.

His critics, hoping to catch Mamdani in a. le, criticized him for referring to his father's cousin as his "aunt," which was misinterpreted as a lie by some in the Western media and public. In his clarification, Mamdani explained that using "aunt" for a family cousin was a natural part of his South Asian upbringing. Vice President JD Vance. Vance issued a social media post mocking Mamdani for the anecdote.

Cultural norms around kinship terms vary globally. In some cultures, particularly in South Asia, terms like "auntie" and "uncle" are used more broadly than in some Western cultures. This can be a sign of respect for older individuals or reflect a sense of extended family connection.

Mamdani, who is a New York Assemblymember, described the attacks as "racist, baseless" and designed to paint him as an "other" and frighten voters.

The incident has become a focal point in the election, with Mamdani arguing that the attacks on his story are a sign of how unfamiliar right-wing media and opponents are with the realities of Islamophobia. His campaign has also garnered interest from the South Asian and Muslim communities in New York City and beyond. Backlash:
Some critics, including Republican politicians, have used Mamdani's comments to question his credibility.

Mamdani's defense

Mamdani has defended his use of the term "aunt," stating it is how he has always referred to her. He has also accused his opponents of using the issue to distract from his message and to make him appear "soft on terrorism".

A headline from the New York Post hoping
to catch Zohran Mamdani in a lie.

The incident has become a focal point in the election, with Mamdani arguing that the attacks on his story are a sign of how unfamiliar right-wing media and opponents are with the realities of Islamophobia. His campaign has also garnered interest from the South Asian and Muslim communities in New York City and beyond.

Mamdani's campaign condemned Vance's response. Mamdani described the attacks as "racist, baseless" and designed to paint him as an "other" and frighten voters. Beyond the "auntie" comment, opponents have repeatedly used divisive rhetoric centering on Mamdani's race and faith

Divisive "wedge" tactics

Andrew Cuomo, the former governor, running as an independent, made controversial remarks during an interview with a conservative radio host. When asked about a "God forbid, another 9/11" scenario with Mamdani in office, Cuomo responded with a comment that many, including Mamdani, viewed as having anti-Muslim undertones.

Eric Adams: Weeks after dropping his re-election bid, then-Mayor Eric Adams endorsed Cuomo and referred to "Islamic extremists" who were "destroying communities".

In response to the accusations of stoking Islamophobia, Cuomo accused Mamdani of using divisive political tactics, describing the situation as "the oldest, dirtiest political trick in the book".

Instead of scaring away supporters, the racist innuendoes appears to have galvanized Mamdani's base: Mamdani's campaign has rallied supporters around his identity as the city's first potential Muslim mayor, a position that resonates with younger, more progressive, and South Asian New Yorkers.

Observers note that the focus on identity-based attacks against Mamdani follows a pattern of political discourse that has become more coarse and polarized.

Some see the attacks as an attempt to leverage the unfamiliarity of Mamdani's background to sow distrust among voters.

Mamdani is of Indian/Ugandan descent, born in Uganda to an Indian Ugandan father,  author and professor Mahmood Mamdani, and an Indian American mother, filmmaker Mira Nair.

Because he was born in Africa, on his college applications he identified himself as African and Asian, which has sometimes been a point of controversy. He has stated that he does not consider himself African American in the typical US sense (descendants of enslaved Africans), but rather as an American who was born in Africa.

Asian American support

Mamdani’s success in engaging Asian communities in New York City is a key part of his winning coalition and is part of what gave him such a commanding lead over Cuomo.

It was not surprising that he did really well among South Asians but he was also able to win over a good portion of East Asians, especially among younger voters who showed up on election day during the primary.

Some credit Mamdani's extensive canvassing, multilingual mail and viral social media videos and a ground game that included volunteers who were able to speak in Asian languages for winning over Asian American electorate. “When you talk to people in the languages that they speak, literally and proverbially, about issues that they care about, they respond,” said Democratic strategist Amit Singh Bagga . “And when you don’t, they don’t.”

Despite the attacks on his faith and complicated racial heritage, as of today, Mamdani is polling ahead of Cuomo. The Assembly member who is well positioned to become New York City’s first Asian American mayor won with the support of the rapidly growing AAPI electorate. Election day is Nov. 4 but voting by mail is underway.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

What political parties can learn from Zohran Mamdani's campaign for NYC mayor

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Zohran Mamdani doesn't fit the typical stereotype most Americans have of Asian Americans.

Mamdani is on the verge of making history when he was declared the Democratic nominee for New York City's mayor Tuesday in a major upset of Democratic powerhouse, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary. If he wins in November, he'll become the first mayor of Asian American -- Indian American to be exact -- and Muslim descent for the country's largest city.

"I'm overwhelmed. There's a lot of joy. There's a lot of representation in the possibility of the first Muslim immigrant South Asian mayor," said Mohamed Q. Amin, a long time community organizer. "We saw ourselves reflected in his campaign."

The campaign for is noteworthy because the Asian American vote, although only 4% of the electorate, proved to be an important factor.

While it was expected that Mamdani would do well among South Asians, what was surprising that he was able to extend his progressive message to the different Asian communities. He recognized the diversity iamong Asian Americans and tailored his multi-lingual campaign to each one.

Mamdani benefited from the endorsement from State Senator John Liu, considered one of the pioneers among New York's Asian American politicians.

"New York City's Asian community made a huge impact in a historic primary election. Asian communities in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan turned out in droves to support Zohran Mamdani's refreshing vision for the future of New York City," Liu stated after Cuomo conceded on election night.

Liu said he was "exceedingly proud to note that the Asian American community, when inspired, mobilized, and empowered, can turn the tide in the most competitive races." 

In an interview on MSNBC after election day, Mamdani said his victory "is part of a larger referendum on where our party goes, and I think one of the hopes that we had from the very beginning of this campaign was to move our political instinct from lecturing to listening."

Who is Zohran Mamdani?

Even as a member of New York state's legislature, the 33-year old Mamdani isn't well known outside of his Queens/Brooklyn district. Meanwhile, Cuomo, his opponent was a former governor and a a member of the politically well-known -- and sometimes, controversial -- Cuomo clan, who had the support of the Democratic machine.

Aside from a brief foray in the musical world as a rapper known as Mr. Cardomon, the closest claim to fame for Mandani is that he is a son of noted filmmaker Mira Nair, who has directed films with Indian American themes and stars, including Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake and Mississippi Masala.

Mamdani won a seat in the  New York State Assembl in 2020 representing parts of Queens  and running as a progressive politician.

Born in Uganda and raised in New York City, according to his campaign website, he has fought for the working class in and outside the legislature: hunger striking alongside taxi drivers to achieve more than $450 million in transformative debt relief, winning over $100 million in the state budget for increased subway service and a successful fare-free bus pilot, and organizing New Yorkers to defeat a proposed dirty power plant. 

During his campaign he he vowed  to bring down the cost-of-living through city-owned grocery stores, universal childcare, and other bold proposals. He would achieve these goals by raising the tax of the top 1% of New Yorkers and corporations.

Recognizing Asian American diversity

Perhaps most noteworthy of Mamdani's campaign was the strong support he received from the Asian American communities. Unlike other politicians he didn't treat the different communities as a monolith. He celebrated Philippines Independence Day encouraging the crowd to celebrate their heritage, was able to capture the Chinatowns of Manhattan and Queens, win over Indo-Caribbeans and Bangladeshi neighborhoods and visited Sikh temples. 

Zohran Mamdani speaks to Filipino Americans

Liu's endorsement helped him win among East Asians, which were supposed to swing towards Cuomo, who ran heavily on a law and order theme, which appeals to Asians who feel victimimzed by the surge of anti-Asian hate.

Mamdani released ads in Hindi, Pakistani, Tibetan, Bangla and other Asian languages. His campaign's ground game connected to voters who in the past felt ignored. His army of volunteers knocked on doors and spoke to the residents in their own languages.

“I did see a lot of young voter turnout in my area. I’ve never seen that before. And the Muslim community really got together and voted for him,” said Councilmember Susan Zhuang. She noted that younger Chinese American voters turned out for the Indian American.

“There’s a new generation that wants their voice heard and that generation came out in full force, not just by voting, but by, like, getting all these other people to be emotionally invested in this candidate,” comedian Hari Kondabolu told ABC. “That’s extraordinary.”

Mamdani's campaign reached beyond NYC, exciting South Asians in other parts of the country. 

“I love that he didn’t run away from his heritage. I mean, he did video clips with Amitabh Bachchan and Hindi movies,” California Congressmember Roh Khanna told ABC.. “He shows that one can embrace their roots and their heritage and yet succeed in American politics.”

The much ballyhooed shift to the right by Asian American voters didn't seem to matter as Asian American voters put overall policies and personality over single issues like public safety or education equality.

"Zohran's come-from-behind victory was bolstered by a surge of Asian support who were encouraged by his ability to connect to people, not by talking at them, but by listening to them, and communicating new ideas about how to improve our city for everyone.," Senator Liu continued in his statement "He created a movement that vocalized the concerns of everyday New Yorkers into an exciting policy platform rooted in optimism that NYC has been missing for far too long." 

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge. Now on BlueSky.

2020 Election: Next generation of AAPI politicians make history at the state level

While the Presidential election sucked all the media attention, a new generation of mostly young Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders began their political careers at the state level, building up a bench of up-and-coming AAPI lawmakers. 

Among this year's group of AAPI lawmakers -- all Democrats --  who won seats in state legislatures also made history with some "Firsts.' Among their ranks are:

• The youngest AAPI legislator in California;
• The first South Asians in New York's state legislature;
• Hawaii picked its first openly LGBTQ lawmaker;
• Wisconsin elected its first Asian American to its state legislature;
• Pennsylvania will have its first South Asian in the state Senate;
• The first woman of color to serve in the Vermont Senate;
• Georgia picked its first Filipino American immigrant to the legislature.

Local political races, from city councils and school boards to state legislatures is where the next generation of politicians will learn the ins-and-outs of politicking and hone their political muscles for the next level of law making.

The increasing willingness to dive into politics is a testament to the growing political awareness of the AAPI community. Several sources say that turnout among AAPI voters increased 300% among early voters alone. In some swing states such as Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin, AAPI voters proved to be crucial.

AAPI Data points out that 158 Asian Americans were running for legislatures in 30 states, an increase of 21 Asian American state legislature candidates since the 2018 midterms.

Out of the 158 candidates, 75% (117) are Democrats and 25% (39) are Republicans, a reflection of a national trend moving the AAPI political views to left of center, according to AAPI Data. 

Following are some of the new lawmakers who made history at the state level:

* * *

Alex Lee, the youngest member of the California legislature.

Alex Lee made history in a few ways when he won California’s 25th District Assembly race on Nov. 3. At 25, he’ll become California’s youngest Asian American state legislator ever, the first openly bisexual state legislator and the first assembly member from Generation Z.

The district, which encompasses Fremont, Santa Clara, San Jose, Milpitas and Newark, and straddles the East Bay and Silicon Valley, is one of the heaviest Asian state legislative districts in the state.

“It’s incredibly exhilarating because our campaign was really the underdog, and we were outspent 15 to 1,” Lee told NBC Asian America. “The establishment didn’t support us, but after we knocked on 30,000 doors, it paid off and we had a great victory.”

* * *

Zohran Mamdani,  left, and Jenifer Rajkumar

Two Indian Americans were elected to the New York state Assembly on Tuesday — making them the first South Asians voted into the lower house of the state Legislature.

Both Jenifer Rajkumar and Zohran Mamdani are Democrats representing parts of Queens, New York City.

The 2010 census reported that more than 300,000 South Asians lived in New York City — about a third of the total Asian American population with the largest concentration in Queens.

Mamdani, 29, who will represent Astoria, a multiethnic neighborhood in Queens, beat incumbent Aravella Simotas in the Democratic primary this year and faced no Republican opponent in the general election. Rajkumar, 38, who will represent parts of Queens that are largely made up of immigrants, won her primary in the state election cycle and defeated Republican Giovanni Perna on Tuesday.

* * *

Hawaii's Adrian Tam beat a Proud Boy member.

Progressive Democrat Adrian Tam won the race for Hawaii’s District 22, becoming the first openly LGBTQ elected official in the state legislature, reported political action committee Victory Fund.

Tam, the son of immigrant parents from Hong Kong and Taiwan, defeated Republican Nick Ochs, who leads the Hawaii chapter of the Proud Boys, a far-right, neo-fascist and anti-LGBTQ paramilitary group. Tam garnered over 63% of the vote while Ochs took less than 30%, according to KITV.

* * * 

Chef Francesca Hong hopes to cook up new laws for small laws.

Chef and restaurant owner Francesca Hong is the first Asian American to be elected as a representative for Wisconsin’s state legislature, Wisconsin State Journal reports.

According to Madison365, election results from Dane County report that Hong won in a landslide, receiving 88% of the total votes, beating Republican candidate Patrick Hull for the 76th Assembly District seat.

Born and raised in Wsiconsin and the daughter of immigrants, she ran a campaign focused on racial justice. 

“We must strive to help working class individuals and families to improve conditions in housing, public education, job security and wealth building,” she said. “We must invest in our main streets, taking the lead from independent small business owners, to work towards more equitable economic infrastructure. But above all, we must prioritize racial equity and work to invest in communities that have been defunded and decimated by irresponsible and apathetic GOP leadership.”

* * * 

Nikil Saval, 37, became the first South Asian American elected to Pennsylvania’s state Senate Nov. 3. 

Elected to represent Philadelphia’s diverse District 1, Saval was co-editor-in-chief of the literary magazine n+1. From 2012-19, he helped lead the Brooklyn-based publication, prioritizing coverage of issues like social justice and labor unions. He also wrote about architecture, urban planning and design as a contributor at The New York Times and the New Yorker.

“I do think working at n+1 and writing about culture and politics intellectually helped give me clarity on how to think about these subjects together,” Saval told NBC News.

Saval, whose parents emigrated from Bangalore, India,, talked about what his victory means for Asian American representation.

“I feel the significance of that especially when I walk into a room with a number of white people in it, which is Pennsylvania’s state Senate, for the most part,” he said. “Even more so, it’s when I encounter other Asian Americans who get pleasantly shocked that I won. There’s a pan-Asian solidarity that immediately develops.”

* * *

Marvin Lim's win was the result of the changing demographics of Georgia, especially the growth of the Asian American population.

Lim is the first Filipino American to be elected to the state legislature in the Nov. 3 elections. Lim won the primary with 62% of the vote and since the GOP didn't have a candidate to run against him. 

The Philippine-born Lim, 36, will represent House District 99, an Atlanta suburb comprised of 85% minorities, 53% of whom are immigrants.

* * *

Kesha Ram won in Vermont, a predominantly white state.

Democrat Kesha Ram, the daughter of an Indian immigrant father and a Jewish mother, made history Nov. 3 when she became the first woman of color to be elected to the Vermont Senate in a state that’s more than 94 percent white.

Throughout her campaign, Ram focused on a racial justice platform that included addressing disparities in access to health care, climate justice and support for criminal justice reform.

This is not her first foray into politics. At the age of 22, she became Vermont's youngest state legislature when she was elected to the state's House.

She hopes her win inspires other people of color to get involved in the political process.

“Particularly for young Asian American women, I think that we are really taught culturally and socially not to fail. And that it's a personal shortcoming if you fail,” she said. “That's just simply not true.” Ram knows this firsthand, as her 2016 run for lieutenant governor ended in her finishing third. “We can't live safe lives the way everybody wants us to if we want things to change,” she said. “Because, otherwise we won't change who's at the table.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: A word of caution, this is news sprinkled with opinion. Readers are encouraged to seek multiple news sources to formulate their own positions.

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New York's Grace Meng retains her seat in Congress, newcomer Qasim Rashid will challenge in Virginia

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Congressmember Grace Meng, left, campaigned with her family on election day.

The primary elections Tuesday in New York and Virginia introduced some new Asian American faces to the political landscape in those two states.

With some mail-in ballots yet to be counted, Rep. Grace Meng has enough votes to safely be declared the winner for New York's 6th Congressional District primary Tuesday.

"So grateful for the overwhelming show of support for our campaign," she tweeted late Tuesday. "While we must wait until all votes have been counted, I'm confident that our grassroots support will lead us to victory. I dedicated my career to fighting for Queens families & I’m ready to continue that fight.

At last count, the four-term member of Congress was leading with 61 percent of the vote, prevailing over Democratic rivals Sandra Choi and Melquiades Gagarin with 74 percent of precincts reporting, according to The Associated Press.

It marked the first time that Meng has faced primary challengers since taking office, as a number of progressive Democrats challenged House incumbents this campaign cycle.

In November, Meng will face Republican Thomas Zmich, who ran unopposed in his primary.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring 12th District which includes parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, its still to close to tell. Incumbent Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who has been in Congress 25 years, narrowly leads attorney Suraj Patel. The 75-year old Maloney held an edge of less than 2 percentage points over Patel on Wednesday morning.

Down ballot, New York Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou (D-Financial District, Chinatown) secured a decisive victory over Grace Lee in last night’s primary.

According to the unofficial numbers, Niou nabbed 56.77 percent of the vote in District 65 – more than 20 percent higher than Lee’s 35.41 percent margin.

“I’m so proud and incredibly grateful to my hardworking team, countless volunteers, and every New Yorker who cast their ballot in this very unusual and challenging election,” said Niou. “I am proud of our campaign, putting our grassroots support up against a flood of money from Wall Street and the 1%.

Incumbent Democrat, Assemblymember Ron Kim easily won his race with 63% of the vote of District 40, which encompasses the New York borough of Queens, where Asian Americans make up 26% of the population.

Two progressive Democrats who had the backing of Congresswoman Alajandra Ocasio-Cortez will be taking seats in the New York Assembly.

JENEFIR RAJKUMAR

In Queens’ Assembly District 38, challenger Jenifer Rajkumar led incumbent Michael Miller 52 percent to 25 percent with more than 80 percent of the votes in. If she holds on to her lead, the former staffer for Gov. Cuomo would become the first Indian American to be elected to the New York Assembly.

Meanwhile in AD 36 (Astoria, Long Island City) favorite Ugandan Indian Zohran Mamdani leads incumbent Aravella Simotas by seven percentage points with more than 75% of the vote counted. 

For complete primary election results for New York, click here.

In Virginia, a Pakistani American attorney, won the Democratic primary to challenge the Republican incumbent, Rep. Rob Wittman. 

QASIM RASHID

With 99% of the vote counted, Qasim Rashid had almost 53% of the vote in Congressional District 1 over rival Lavangelene Williams.

After Rashid was declared winner, he recalled his journey overcoming bias in his tweet: 

"10 years ago a major law firm rescinded a job offer b/c I was 'too Muslim' & would “make clients uncomfortable. "Last night I became the first American Muslim in Virginia history to win a Congressional primary election. "That firm has since folded. "My fight for justice won’t stop."


For complete Virginia primary election results, click here.