The current political landscape is filled with candidates who tirelessly attempt to brand themselves as “of the people.” But I think there are some mundane human experience prerequisites you should meet before you get to flaunt that title. Have you ever been hit with an overdraft fee? Or stepped inside a public laundromat? By my judgment, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mandani has ticked at least one box in the "incredibly normal background" category. He and his wife, Brooklyn-based artist Rama Duwaji, met on Hinge.
The New York State assemblyman shared this fun fact on The Bulwark podcast this past summer to support his take that “there is still hope in those dating apps.” And while you might hesitate to buy into his argument, I find this lore charming. There’s been plenty of noise about Zohran’s age and his very online campaign approach. (Should he win, at 34 years old, he’d be the youngest NYC mayor in a century. And on his campaign, he's ventured to press stops that very few of his elder opponents have, from the late-night club circuit to the NYC Marathon.) But above all else, what’s more millennial than meeting your life partner on an app? Zohran’s big Hinge reveal indicates that the leading contender for NYC mayor has probably spent 20 minutes (at least) picking out his six most flattering photos and identifying his main dealbreakers. It also means that Zohran’s familiar with the draining experience of trudging through “how was your Tuesday” exchanges. Which, now that I think of it, probably doesn’t differ much from the campaigning experience. If anything, swiping primed him for politics. And when I looked into whether Zohran lied about his height on his profile (as many men are wont to do), I was informed by his photographer, Kara McCurdy, that he kept things real: "He was honest on his profile about [it], 5’11”," she shared. "He loves to tell people that that’s how they know they can trust him."
Since their first app-assisted meet-cute, Zohran and Rama, 27, have shared quite a love story. They got married earlier this year in a civil ceremony at the New York City clerk’s office, a day he described adorably to Interview Magazine. “The outside is just so beautiful and reminiscent of a different New York City, and the inside is in many ways public goods personified. All of these New Yorkers getting married at the same time at different ages and at different times in their lives, it’s very beautiful.”
But because the world is sick and appreciation for real #lovers is at an all-time low (by my observation), Zohran and Rama’s relationship caught some flak earlier in his campaign. Online skeptics (ones who don’t seem to understand the instinct to protect the people you cherish) came for Zohran, claiming he was “hiding” Rama from the world…instead of exploiting their relationship for political gain, I guess. But the mayoral candidate posted a stern defense on IG, with his vibey black and white wedding photoshoot in tow! “Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama, at the City Clerk’s office. Now, right-wing trolls are trying to make this race—which should be about you—about her,” he wrote in the caption. “Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms. You can critique my views, but not my family.”
Throughout Zohran’s campaign, Rama’s maintained somewhat of a low and distanced profile. Her social media presence focuses mainly on her artwork—and she hasn't gone on any posting sprees or done major press appearances on Zohran’s behalf. But when she voted during the primary election back in June, she did post this adorable slideshow dedicated to her husband—a decidedly very sweet and very subtle show of support.
Rama and Zohran seem to represent a new version of the political power couple. Because, beyond this dating app origin story lore, they haven't been strategically dropping anecdotes about their relationship in the press, or posing together for advantageous photo ops. Instead, these two are obviously protecting their inner life, and the Zohran campaign hasn’t forced any attempts to garner extra favor using his cool wife. (But his side comment about their meet-cute proves that he can’t help but publicly simp on occasion.)
All of this to say, let Zohran and Rama's tale be the motivation you need to keep swiping…I also have follow-up questions for them. Was Zohran honest about his height on his profile? How much would I judge his opening line to Rama? Who chose their first date spot? For these answers, we may have to wait until Zohran pens his autobiography or hosts a Rama-themed Instagram Q&A, whichever comes first. But it’s amazing that he could become the first New York City mayor to know what the Rose feature is. We are truly living through history.
