Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has thrown his support behind progressive state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race, bolstering the campaign of a fellow democratic socialist as the heated primary heads into its final week.
“At this dangerous moment in history, status quo politics isn’t good enough,” Sanders wrote in a post on X, calling for “new leadership that is prepared to stand up to powerful corporate interests & fight for the working class.”
“@ZohranKMamdani is providing that vision. He is the best choice for NYC mayor,” he wrote.
Sanders’ endorsement is notable given his considerable influence and marks the first time the progressive lawmaker has endorsed anyone in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. His backing also comes after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), another prominent progressive, announced her support for Mamdani and campaigned alongside him in Manhattan this past weekend.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old lawmaker from Queens, has gained traction in the polls in the last month. Recent surveys suggest that he’s narrowing the gap with former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who resigned from his previous post after facing allegations of sexual harassment, which he denies.
