Bernie Sanders Endorses Zohran Mamdani for NYC Mayor: “A Leader to Stand Up for the 99%”: In a major boost to the city’s progressive movement, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has officially endorsed Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani for New York City Mayor, calling him the only candidate willing to “stand up to powerful corporate interests and fight for the working class.”
In a powerful statement on X (formerly Twitter), Sanders declared, “At this dangerous moment in history, status quo politics isn’t good enough. We need new leadership… Zohran Mamdani is providing that vision. He is the best choice for NYC mayor.”
This marks Sanders’ first formal endorsement in a New York City Democratic mayoral primary—signaling how high the stakes are for progressives seeking to reshape City Hall.
A Progressive Alliance
Responding to the endorsement, Mamdani called Sanders “the single most influential political figure” in his life.
“At the core of our vision for New York is the belief that only through bold leadership that puts the needs of the 99% over the power of the 1% can we defeat the rise of oligarchy and authoritarianism,” Mamdani said in a statement. “Make no mistake: oligarchy is on the ballot. Andrew Cuomo is the candidate of a billionaire class that is suffocating our democracy.”
Mamdani, a two-term Assemblyman from Queens, has championed tenants’ rights, taxing the ultra-wealthy, and community-led governance. His campaign has also been endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, reinforcing his status as the leading voice of the city’s left.
From Albany to All Five Boroughs
Speaking Tuesday in Astoria, Queens, Mamdani emphasized Sanders’ legacy, stating, “He continues to inspire New Yorkers across the five boroughs about the possibility of our democracy being something more than that which is bought and paid for by Republican billionaires.”
He pointed out that in 2016, even without heavy campaigning, Sanders secured 42% of the Democratic primary vote on Staten Island, showcasing the depth of his grassroots support.
Mamdani vs Cuomo: A Battle for the Soul of NYC
The primary showdown between Zohran Mamdani and former governor Andrew Cuomo is shaping up to be a referendum on the future of Democratic politics in the city. Cuomo, backed by deep-pocketed donors and a flood of Super PAC ads, has faced scrutiny for aligning with billionaire supporters including Michael Bloomberg.
Mamdani, on the other hand, boasts the highest number of small donors among all mayoral candidates, and his volunteer army has knocked on over 1.1 million doors across the city. Despite Cuomo’s criticism of Mamdani’s limited legislative record, recent polls show the progressive challenger rapidly closing the gap.
“I don’t think Michael Bloomberg would be taking a selfie voting for Andrew Cuomo if he wasn’t afraid,” Mamdani quipped.
Sanders’ Broader Strategy
Sanders’ endorsement of Mamdani is part of a wider effort to reinvigorate the Democratic base after GOP wins last fall and Donald Trump’s reelection. He’s urging the party to embrace candidates who prioritize economic justice, anti-corruption, and systemic reform.
Alongside Mamdani, Sanders has also thrown his support behind City Councilman Justin Brannan in the race for New York City Comptroller.
“Bernie’s a legend,” Brannan wrote on X. “Brooklyn born, he’s been fighting for working people and calling out corruption long before it was cool.”
The Road Ahead
As the Democratic primary nears, Mamdani’s campaign is gaining momentum. Backed by grassroots energy, progressive endorsements, and a clear left-of-center platform, he is positioning himself as the candidate of hope—and resistance.
Whether voters will embrace this vision over the establishment remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: with Bernie Sanders by his side, Zohran Mamdani has become a frontrunner in the fight to reshape New York City from the ground up.
