Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York threw his support behind Zohran Mamdani for mayor following Mamdani’s surprise victory over Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The 33-year-old state lawmaker’s upset win earned him comparisons to major political breakthroughs of the past.
Calling it a “seismic election,” Nadler likened Mamdani’s win to Barack Obama’s rise in 2008. His endorsement, which was first reported by The New York Times, signaled a shift in support after Nadler had initially backed former city comptroller Scott Stringer, who now appears likely to finish low in the ranked-choice count.
Despite backing Stringer during the primary, Nadler praised Mamdani’s momentum and framed the outcome as a clear message against the policies of President Trump. “Voters in New York City demanded change and, with Zohran’s triumph, we have a direct repudiation of Donald Trump’s politics of tax cuts and authoritarianism,” he told the Times.
Nadler’s public endorsement is especially notable given his status as one of the most recognizable Jewish figures in New York politics. His support comes amid heightened scrutiny of Mamdani’s past statements about Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza, with some critics accusing him of antisemitism—an accusation Mamdani has firmly denied.
“I’ve spoken to him today about his commitment to fighting antisemitism, and we’ll work with all New Yorkers to fight against all bigotry and hate,” Nadler said, according to The New York Times.
Still, other top Democrats from New York’s congressional delegation have not rushed to endorse Mamdani. Though now the likely Democratic nominee for mayor, pending the final results of the ranked-choice vote on July 1, Mamdani remains without full backing from several senior party figures.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries both offered congratulations to Mamdani after the primary results but stopped short of offering their endorsements. “He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity,” Schumer posted on social media.
A number of other prominent Democrats from New York, including Reps. Tom Suozzi, Adriano Espaillat, Gregory Meeks, and Ritchie Torres, had chosen to endorse Cuomo instead of Mamdani.
“I had serious concerns about Assemblyman Mamdani before yesterday, and that is one of the reasons I endorsed his opponent. Those concerns remain,” Suozzi wrote in a post on Wednesday.
{Matzav.com}