UPDATE: Former Vice President Kamala Harris offered a tepid endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, during a live interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow on Monday. The endorsement comes as Mamdani faces pressure from major party leaders to gain broader support.
The interview, which coincides with the release of Harris’ new book, 107 Days, highlighted an urgent moment for Mamdani, whose progressive platform has sparked both enthusiasm and criticism within the Democratic Party. Harris stated, “Look, as far as I’m concerned, he’s the Democratic nominee, and he should be supported.” However, she quickly pivoted to emphasize the importance of recognizing other Democratic candidates across the country.
“But I mean, there are people like Barbara Drummond in Mobile, Alabama, Helena Moreno in New Orleans. They’re all running for mayor, too, and they are stars,” Harris added, urging the party to celebrate a “big tent” of diverse candidates.
Despite being the Democratic frontrunner, Mamdani has not yet secured endorsements from prominent figures such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, both of whom also represent New York. This lack of support raises questions about his viability in the upcoming election.
In contrast, New York Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed Mamdani earlier this month, stating on social media, “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani.” Her endorsement on September 14 was seen as a significant boost for the candidate.
Mamdani’s progressive platform includes proposals such as city-owned grocery stores and a refusal to condemn the anti-Israel slogan “globalize the intifada,” which have drawn criticism from more moderate Democrats.
The urgency of Harris’ endorsement comes at a critical time for Mamdani, as the race heats up leading to the election. With only weeks to galvanize support, Mamdani’s campaign is at a pivotal juncture. The spotlight is now on whether other Democratic leaders will follow Harris and Hochul’s lead, endorsing Mamdani and helping to unify the party.
As the political landscape in New York continues to shift, all eyes will be on Mamdani’s campaign to see if he can rally the backing needed to secure a victory in the mayoral race. The coming days will reveal if other key Democratic figures will step up to support him, potentially altering the dynamics of the election.
Stay tuned for live updates as this story develops.
