Obama calls NYC mayoral frontrunner Mamdani just days before crucial election
In a surprising turn of events just three days before the New York City mayoral election, former President Barack Obama reached out to frontrunner Zohran Mamdani to express his support. Mamdani, a Democratic socialist who has been leading in the polls, received a 30-minute phone call from Obama, where the former president offered to serve as a “sounding board” for the candidate. This conversation highlights Obama’s interest in fostering progressive politics, as Mamdani’s campaign aims to bring a new kind of political approach to the city. Spokesperson Dora Pekec confirmed that Mamdani appreciated Obama’s encouragement and insights, emphasizing their shared vision for a transformative political landscape in New York City.
Mamdani’s primary competitors include former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an Independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary last summer, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Although Sliwa’s campaign declined to comment on Obama’s support for Mamdani, the dynamics of the race have shifted significantly with Obama’s involvement. The former president’s call coincided with his campaigning efforts for other Democratic candidates, such as Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey, both of whom are facing tight gubernatorial races. While Obama has refrained from officially endorsing Mamdani—upholding a commitment not to interfere in municipal races—his outreach signals a notable alignment with the progressive movement, particularly as establishment Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have opted to keep their distance from Mamdani. This development adds a layer of intrigue to the upcoming election, as voters consider the implications of Mamdani’s progressive platform in the face of more traditional political figures.
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Three days ahead of the New York City mayoral election, former President
Barack Obama
called frontrunner Zohran Mamdani to offer his support.
The 64-year-old Democrat offered to be a “sounding board”
to Mamdani,
a Democratic socialist who continues to lead the race in polling.
“Zohran Mamdani appreciated President Obama’s words of support and their conversation on the importance of bringing a
new kind of politics
to our city,” Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec told Fox News Digital.
Mamdani’s main opponents are former New York Gov.
Andrew Cuomo
, who is running as an Independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
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Sliwa’s campaign told Fox News Digital they had no comment on the call.
Cuomo lost to Mamdani
in the Democratic primary last summer.
The phone call between Mamdani and Obama came the same day Obama was also campaigning in Virginia for
Abigail Spanberger
and in New Jersey for Mikie Sherrill. Both Democrats are in close gubernatorial races in their respective states.
OBAMA SAYS IT’S ‘LIKE EVERY DAY IS HALLOWEEN’ AS HE BLAMES REPUBLICANS FOR GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Both women are
Democratic gubernatorial candidates
.
“Your campaign has been impressive to watch,” Obama told Mamdani in the 30-minute private conversation, according to The New York Times which cited two people familiar with the conversation.
Obama hasn’t endorsed Mamdani officially
following a vow to not interfere in municipal races, the newspaper reported, adding that it was the second call between the two men since the Democratic primary.
Obama spoke to Mamdani as some establishment Democrats, such as Senate Minority Leader
Chuck Schumer
, D-N.Y., have kept their distance from the progressive leader.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
