Kamala Harris Endorses Zohran Mamdani in NYC Mayoral Race, Boosting Democratic Socialist’s Campaign

In a significant development that could reshape the New York City mayoral race, former Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly endorsed Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani during a Monday night interview on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show.” When directly asked about Mamdani’s candidacy, Harris responded with a straightforward endorsement: “Look, as far as I’m concerned, he’s the Democratic nominee, and he should be supported.” This declaration comes at a crucial moment for Mamdani, a democratic socialist assemblyman whose campaign has gained remarkable momentum in recent weeks. Prediction markets now place his chances of winning at an impressive 85 percent, up from 79.7 percent before current Mayor Eric Adams controversially decided to remain in the race despite his legal troubles. Multiple polls from early September consistently show Mamdani with commanding double-digit leads over his closest competitor, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, with margins ranging from 15 to 22 percentage points across surveys conducted by CBS News/YouGov, Marist, Quinnipiac University, Emerson College, and The New York Times/Siena.

Harris’s endorsement is particularly noteworthy given the significant divisions within the Democratic Party regarding Mamdani’s candidacy. While Governor Kathy Hochul has endorsed him as the Democratic nominee, other prominent New York Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have conspicuously remained neutral. The reluctance of establishment Democrats to rally behind their party’s nominee highlights the ideological tensions at play, which were further emphasized when New York State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs explicitly refused to endorse Mamdani. Jacobs cited “fundamental disagreements” on policy approaches, specifically mentioning opposition to Mamdani’s views on Israel and rejecting “the platform of the so-called ‘Democratic Socialists of America.'” This internal party discord reflects broader debates about the direction of the Democratic Party and its relationship with progressive movements.

The race has drawn national attention, with figures from across the political spectrum weighing in on Mamdani’s candidacy. During her interview, Maddow characterized Mamdani as “arguably the fastest rising star right now in Democratic politics” who is likely to win “in a landslide, if the polls are anything to go by.” She also noted that “lots of mainline Democrats have been very shy about his candidacy,” highlighting the establishment’s hesitation. On the opposite end of the political spectrum, former President Donald Trump has attacked Mamdani on social media, criticizing Governor Hochul’s endorsement as “a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City.” Meanwhile, Independent Senator Bernie Sanders has framed the race in terms of class conflict, claiming “The oligarchs are panicking. They will spend as much as it takes to try to defeat Zohran Mamdani. They’ve got the money. We’ve got the people.”

The dynamics of the race are further complicated by the presence of multiple candidates splitting the anti-Mamdani vote. Despite calls from Trump for candidates to consolidate against Mamdani, both Mayor Adams and Republican Curtis Sliwa have refused to exit the race. Adams’ spokesperson Todd Shapiro emphatically denied rumors of the mayor’s withdrawal earlier this month, insisting Adams “is in this race to win it,” with numerous campaign events and fundraisers planned. Interestingly, Adams’ decision to remain in the race appears to have paradoxically boosted Mamdani’s chances according to prediction markets, suggesting a fragmented opposition benefits the democratic socialist candidate. However, polling data indicates that in hypothetical head-to-head matchups without Adams, Mamdani’s lead over Cuomo narrows significantly in some scenarios, with the gap tightening to as little as 4 points in the Times/Siena survey.

As the November 4 general election approaches, with less than six weeks remaining, the critical question becomes whether Harris’s endorsement will encourage other Democratic leaders to overcome their hesitation and publicly support their party’s nominee. Harris herself seemed eager to broaden the conversation beyond Mamdani during her interview, pivoting to highlight lesser-known Democratic leaders running in other mayoral campaigns, including state Representative Barbara Drummond of Alabama and Helena Moreno of New Orleans. This strategy suggests an awareness of the politically delicate nature of the New York mayoral race within Democratic circles, even as she fulfilled her traditional role as a party leader by endorsing the Democratic nominee.

The contest has evolved into more than just a mayoral race; it has become a referendum on progressive politics in America’s largest city and a test case for the Democratic Party’s ability to unite behind candidates who represent its left wing. With Mamdani’s commanding lead in the polls and now the endorsement of a former vice president, the democratic socialist assemblyman appears well-positioned for victory. However, the remaining weeks of the campaign will reveal whether establishment resistance, combined with efforts to consolidate the opposition, can overcome Mamdani’s current advantages. Regardless of the outcome, this race exemplifies the ongoing tension between progressive and moderate factions within the Democratic coalition, a dynamic that continues to shape American politics at all levels of government.