Why Zohran Mamdani Can Never Run for US President Despite NYC Win

New York City: Zohran Mamdani, the youngest mayor-elect in New York City since 1892 and the city’s first Muslim mayor, has made history with his resounding victory in the recent elections. At 34, Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, bringing fresh energy and vision to City Hall. However, despite his landmark achievement, Mamdani is ineligible to run for US President under the current Constitution.

US Constitutional Requirements

Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the US Constitution specifies that a presidential candidate must be a natural-born US citizen, at least 35 years old, and have resided in the United States for at least 14 years. Mamdani, born in Kampala, Uganda, and naturalized as a US citizen in 2018, does not meet the “natural-born citizen” requirement and, therefore, cannot hold the nation’s highest office unless the Constitution is amended.

A Historic Mayoral Win

Mamdani’s victory is remarkable not only for its historic significance but also for the obstacles he overcame. Entering the mayoral race with limited name recognition, minimal financial resources, and little support from established political institutions, Mamdani’s grassroots campaign triumphed against the odds.

In his victory speech, he said:
"New York will remain the city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, clearly led by an immigrant. I am young, I am Muslim, I am a democratic socialist and most damning of all, I refuse to apologise for any of this."

Mamdani added that he would wake each day with a “singular purpose, to make this city better for you than it was the day before,” signalling his commitment to progressive policies and inclusive governance.

Family Background and Public Profile

Zohran Mamdani hails from an accomplished family. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a Ugandan scholar of Indian origin and a Columbia University professor. His mother, Mira Nair, is an acclaimed Indian-American filmmaker, known for critically acclaimed films such as Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake.

While Mamdani’s historic mayoral win marks a defining moment for representation in New York City politics, the constitutional barrier underscores the unique restrictions on eligibility for the US presidency, highlighting the limits even highly accomplished immigrants face in national politics.