Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist and New York State Assembly member, was elected as New York City’s mayor on November 4, 2025. His campaign, centered on making the city more affordable, resonated deeply with New Yorkers grappling with the high cost of living. Key promises included freezing rents, providing free public buses, and establishing a network of city-owned grocery stores. However, his most transformative pledge was the introduction of free, high-quality child care for every New Yorker from 6 weeks to 5 years old, coupled with raising child care workers’ wages to match those of public school teachers. Child care in New York City is notoriously expensive, with over 80% of families unable to afford the average annual cost of $26,000 for center-based care. A recent study highlighted that housing and child care costs are primary reasons families with young children are twice as likely to leave the city compared to those without children. Nationally, the child care system is widely regarded as broken, with U.S. families spending between 8.9% and 16% of their median income on full-day care for one child. Despite rising costs, child care workers remain poorly paid, with a median wage of $15.41 per hour in 2024. Mamdani’s plan, estimated to cost $6 billion annually, aims to address these issues by increasing corporate and income taxes on high earners. His vision for universal child care could have far-reaching economic impacts, including boosting women’s workforce participation and increasing disposable income for families. If successful, Mamdani’s policies could set a precedent for other cities and states to follow.