1 / 5Just a year ago, Zohran Mamdani was a little-known Assemblyman representing part of Queens. Today, he is the mayor-elect of New York City, after running a campaign that captured the attention of voters across the city. Mamdani’s team went door-to-door, used social media cleverly and focused on everyday issues that affect New Yorkers. Rent, public transport, and groceries formed the mainstay and catapulted him to arguably the biggest win for a leader of Indian-origin in America. Now, other candidates are also adopting similar strategies and following in his footsteps. (Image Reuters). The following is the list of candidates.
2 / 5Aftab Pureval | Aftab Karma Singh Pureval was born on September 9, 1982, in Xenia, Ohio, to immigrant parents—his father is Punjabi from India, and his mother is a Tibetan refugee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ohio State University and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Pureval was elected Mayor of Cincinnati in 2021, defeating Democrat David S Mann, and won re-election in 2025 against Republican Cory Bowman. His campaign focused on key city issues such as affordable housing, equitable economic growth, public safety reforms, and sustainability. (Image Instagram)
3 / 5Mussab Ali | Mussab Ali was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and moved with his family to Jersey City, New Jersey, in 2000. He earned a Master’s degree in Global Affairs and a law degree from Harvard Law School. He is now running for Mayor of Jersey City. His campaign focuses on making the city more affordable, providing fast and free public buses, and ensuring safer neighbourhoods for all residents. (Image Instagram)
4 / 5Ghazala Hashmi | Born on July 5, 1964, in Telangana, India, and raised in Georgia, Ghazala Hashmi is Virginia’s first Muslim and first Indian-American woman elected to state-wide office, serving as Lieutenant Governor. Before entering politics, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Georgia Southern University and a PhD in American Literature from Emory University. She first won a Virginia Senate seat in 2019, and in 2025, she defeated Republican John Reid to become Lieutenant Governor. Her campaign focuses on public education, voting rights and the preservation of democracy, reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, the environment, housing, and affordable healthcare access. (Image Ghazalahashmiforvirginia.com)
5 / 5Satish Garimella | Born in India, Garimella earned a Bachelor’s in Electronics Engineering from the University of Mumbai and a Master’s in Computer Science from the University of Tulsa. Garimella has represented Morrisville on the Town Council since 2015 and has been recognised for his focus on equitable growth and affordable housing. His campaign focuses on strengthening the economy, expanding amenities, maintaining affordability, and keeping the community safe. (Image Instagram)
