By — Ali Rogin Ali Rogin By — Kayan Taraporevala Kayan Taraporevala By — Satvi Sunkara Satvi Sunkara Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/photographer-reflects-on-capturing-zohran-mamdanis-improbable-rise-to-prominence Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Zohran Mamdani began 2025 as a little-known state legislator, and in the first minutes of 2026 he’ll be sworn in as mayor of New York, often called the second-toughest job in America. Campaign photographer Kara McCurdy documented his remarkable rise, capturing images of Mamdani since before his first race for New York State Assembly in 2020. Ali Rogin speaks with McCurdy about her experience. Listen to this Segment Watch Watch the Full Episode PBS NewsHour from Dec 28, 2025 By — Ali Rogin Ali Rogin Ali Rogin is a correspondent for the PBS News Hour and PBS News Weekend, reporting on a number of topics including foreign affairs, health care and arts and culture. She received a Peabody Award in 2021 for her work on News Hour’s series on the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect worldwide. Rogin is also the recipient of two Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association and has been a part of several teams nominated for an Emmy, including for her work covering the fall of ISIS in 2020, the Las Vegas mass shooting in 2017, the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2014, and the 2010 midterm elections. By — Kayan Taraporevala Kayan Taraporevala Kayan Taraporevala is an Associate Producer for PBS News Hour. By — Satvi Sunkara Satvi Sunkara Satvi Sunkara is an associate producer for PBS News Weekend.