Queens Democratic state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday morning formally announced he's throwing his hat in the ring for mayor of New York City.

Mamdani, who was first elected to the Assembly in 2020, has been a vocal critic of Mayor Eric Adams, who was indicted last month on federal corruption charges and has endured waves of resignations within his administration.

In his first mayoral campaign video, posted to X Wednesday, Zohran took aim at Adams for being “engulfed in corruption,” while also hammering home the city’s affordability challenges. 

“This is a mayor who’s been failing the very New Yorkers he was elected to serve far before this indictment. And now, he is going to be even more distracted," he told NY1.

Mamdani’s district currently includes parts of Astoria and Long Island City. He is one of seven state lawmakers from the city who are aligned with the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. 

In July, NY1 reported Mamdani was potentially considering a run for mayor. 

He is the fifth person to announce a challenge to Adams. The others include City Comptroller Brad Lander, State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, State Sen. Jessica Ramos and political veteran Scott Stringer. 

Mamdani stands out from the others. He’s the youngest in the field at 33 years old, he’s a Muslim of South Asian descent and he is furthest to the left politically, frequently criticizing Israel and advocating for more taxes on the wealthy. 

“While corruption is engulfing City Hall, it’s the cost of living crisis that most New Yorkers are concerned about. New Yorkers are being crushed by rent and child care, and Mayor Adams has had no answers to these crises," Mamdani said.

For now, Mamdani has three main policy proposals: freezing rents on rent-stabilized apartments, via his appointees to the Rent Guidelines Board; making buses fare-free; and rolling out free universal childcare.

But even some allies worry Mamdani could splinter the progressive vote.

He said that concern is mitigated by ranked-choice voting, which would allow the anti-Adams candidates to join forces.

“I have [a] deep respect for the other candidates in this race — I would say with the exception of Andrew Cuomo, if he declares," Mamdani said.

The former governor is just one of several others believed to be eyeing the primary, which takes place next June. For now, Adams is the target.

“I am very much committed to using this race and every opportunity to ensure that we are building the power of New Yorkers to ensure that the next mayor is not Eric Adams," Mamdani said.