Who is Maya Handa? Meet The Campaign Manager Behind NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani has made history by winning the New York City mayoral election. The young Democrat defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. With his win, Mamdani becomes NYC’s first Muslim mayor, the first South Asian mayor, and the first mayor born in Africa. He will take office on January 1.

During his campaign, Mamdani was supported by many progressive voices. But one name that stood out strongly was Maya Handa, his campaign manager. She played an important role in shaping his campaign strategy and message.

Maya Handa — The Strategist Behind Mamdani’s Victory

Maya Handa was appointed as Zohran Mamdani’s campaign manager in July this year. She replaced Elle Bisgaard-Church for the role. Before joining Mamdani’s team, she managed State Senator Zellnor Myrie’s mayoral campaign. Even though that campaign did not win, Handa gained strong experience in handling large-scale political operations.

Reports say Handa has been known in New York’s political circles for her work on progressive campaigns. She previously worked with Mamdani when he served in the New York State Assembly. This made her familiar with his political vision and values.

Handa’s Political Background

According to national media reports, Maya Handa has also worked with several well-known progressive politicians across the United States. Her past roles include supporting:

• Former U.S. Representative Jamaal Bowman

• U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren

• The Working Families Party, a strong progressive force in New York politics

Additionally, Mamdani’s team stated that Handa had worked with:

• Queens Assemblymember Claire Valdez

• Brooklyn Councilmember Shahana Hanif

These projects were not shown on her LinkedIn profile, according to reports, but confirmed by sources close to Mamdani’s campaign.

Mamdani’s Vision & Handa’s Role

During his victory speech, Mamdani proudly embraced his identity and political beliefs. He said he would not apologize for being young, Muslim, or a democratic socialist. His bold message and grassroots communication style matched Handa’s progressive campaign approach.

Many political experts believe Maya Handa’s strategy helped Mamdani connect with young voters, immigrant communities, and progressive supporters across New York City.

FAQs

Who won the New York City mayor election?
Zohran Mamdani won the NYC mayoral election in November 2025.

Who is Zohran Mamdani’s campaign manager?
Maya Handa served as his campaign manager.