Former Vice President Kamala Harris waded into the New York City mayoral race with what may be Zohran Mamdani’s most high-profile endorsement to date. Speaking during an MSNBC interview with Rachel Maddow, Harris said Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, “should be supported.”
But she quickly qualified her support, stressing that he is not the only “rising star” in the Democratic Party and highlighting other mayoral candidates across the country.
Mamdani’s Shocking Primary Victory
Mamdani, a 33-year-old Assembly Member and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, stunned the political establishment in June by defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and several veteran city and state officials in the Democratic primary.
His platform, which includes eliminating bus fares and freezing rents in rent-stabilized apartments, has made him a lightning rod in the national debate over progressive policies.
Polling shows Mamdani holding a double-digit lead over his general election opponents, including Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams—both running as independents—and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Reluctance From Democratic Heavyweights
Despite Mamdani’s momentum, top Democrats have largely withheld their endorsements. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have yet to back him, even as New York Gov.
Kathy Hochul recently endorsed Mamdani, saying he would “stand up to President Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, after facing backlash for wrongly accusing Mamdani of making references to “global jihad,” has not offered her support.
National progressive figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders have embraced Mamdani, though many mainstream Democrats remain cautious, wary of Republican efforts to paint him as the face of their opposition.
Harris Stresses Democratic “Big Tent”
Harris used the interview not only to support Mamdani but also to promote her new book and emphasize the Democratic Party’s diversity. “I support the Democrat in the race, sure,” she said. “But he’s not the only star.”
She went on to name other Democratic mayoral candidates, including Alabama Rep. Barbara Drummond and New Orleans Council Member Helena Moreno, as part of a broader vision for party leadership.
Harris urged Democrats not to “over-index on New York City,” warning that too much focus on one race could overshadow other important contests across the nation.
Debate Inside the Party
Harris’s comments have fueled debate among Democrats about the party’s future direction. Centrists remain wary of Mamdani’s progressive positions, including his past support for defunding the NYPD and his advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Progressives, meanwhile, see his candidacy as a chance to reset the party’s identity and present a populist alternative to Trump’s agenda.
