Progressive power players rally voters for Zohran Mamdani as early voting kicks off in NYC mayoral race
In a vibrant display of progressive unity, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani rallied supporters at the “New York is not for sale” event in Forest Hills Stadium, Queens, just days ahead of the city’s early voting period. This significant gathering reflects a crucial moment in New York City’s mayoral race, where Mamdani’s unexpected rise has positioned him as a formidable contender against established political figures, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is now running as an independent. Sanders praised Mamdani’s fresh approach to politics, emphasizing his commitment to a grassroots administration free from billionaire influence. Mamdani, echoing Sanders’ sentiments, expressed gratitude for the senator’s long-standing advocacy of democratic socialism, a philosophy that has energized a segment of the Democratic Party seeking change amid a challenging political climate.
The rally underscored the broader implications of Mamdani’s campaign, which aims to address pressing issues such as economic inequality and the need for community-focused policies. Ocasio-Cortez highlighted the importance of this election as a reflection of the national political landscape, asserting that a victory for Mamdani would resonate far beyond New York, inspiring progressive movements across the country. With ambitious proposals like free childcare, city-run grocery stores, and affordable public transit funded by taxing the wealthiest New Yorkers, Mamdani’s platform has captured the attention of voters seeking substantive reform. However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, as Mamdani must navigate the complexities of a divided Democratic establishment and counter the criticisms from opponents, including Trump, who has labeled him a “100% Communist Lunatic.”
As the election approaches, Mamdani appears to be gaining traction, boasting a significant lead in recent polls. His ability to consolidate support from progressives, alongside endorsements from key figures like Gov. Kathy Hochul, marks a pivotal moment in the race. Yet, the rally also revealed tensions within the party, as attendees vocally called for increased taxation on the wealthy, a sentiment that Hochul acknowledged but has yet to embrace fully. With the stakes high and the progressive base energized, the upcoming election could serve as a litmus test for the future direction of New York City’s leadership and the broader Democratic Party.
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NEW YORK
– Progressive stars Rep.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., teamed up with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani Sunday night for a “New York is not for sale” rally at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York City.
The high-profile campaign event came nearly one week before Election Day, as New Yorkers head to the polls for the first weekend of early voting, closing out a contentious mayoral battle where Mamdani’s unanticipated success has landed him on the national stage.
“Zohran Mamdani is modeling a different kind of politics,” Sanders, the former Democratic presidential candidate and longtime progressive leader, said in a statement ahead of the rally.
And as Mamdani took the stage before the energized New York City crowd, the mayoral candidate thanked Sanders, admitting that he stood there because “the senator dared to stand alone for so long.”
BERNIE SANDERS RIPS DEM LEADERS FOR SNUBBING MAMDANI IN MAYORAL RACE: ‘THIS IS OUR GUY!’
“I speak the language of democratic socialism only because he spoke it first,” Mamdani said as the crowd joined him in declaring, “New York is not for sale.”
The trio of self-identified Democratic socialists have invigorated the Democratic Party’s progressive base at a time when Democrats are still grappling with devastating losses in 2024 amid growing discontent with President
Donald Trump
‘s sweeping, second-term agenda.
When Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez teamed up for the ”
Fighting Oligarchy” tour
earlier this year, they sparked sizable buzz, firing up thousands of Democrats at rallies across the United States who had been left without a clear party leader.
BERNIE SANDERS, ZOHRAN MAMDANI TEAM UP TO ‘FIGHT OLIGARCHY’ IN NYC
“As mayor, he will not run a top-down, billionaire-funded, consultant-driven administration. Instead, Zohran will be a champion for the working people of New York,” Sanders said.
Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have campaigned alongside Mamdani in his bid to lead the nation’s most populous city and fired up the Queens crowd on Sunday night.
Ocasio-Cortez, who spoke ahead of Sanders and Mamdani, said New York City will send a message to Trump on Nov. 4 that “his authoritarianism is no good here.”
“That we are all here, in this moment, during this time is not a coincidence, and it is also not a coincidence that both of the visionary forces that Zohran is up against in this race mirrors what we are up against nationally, both an authoritarian criminal presidency, fueled by corruption and bigotry and an ascendant right-wing extremist movement,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
Ocasio-Cortez said former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, is reflective of a “renegade bygone political establishment,” and accused him of being blinded in his “pursuit of power.”
“In a moment when Americans are extremely distressed about where we are as a nation, economically and politically, a victory here in New York will give hope and inspiration to people throughout our country, across the world. That is what this election is about, and that is why
Donald Trump
is paying attention to this election,” Sanders added.
A slew of state and local leaders also joined the rally, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., who endorsed Mamdani last month and has since campaigned for him.
Hochul was heckled by attendees several times during her remarks, who chanted, “Tax the rich!”
Mamdani’s plan to raise taxes on corporations and the top 1% of New Yorkers to pay for his campaign promises, like free childcare, free buses and city-run grocery stores, would require Hochul’s approval, and the governor has ruled out raising taxes.
“I hear ya,” Hochul responded as the stadium erupted with pleas to “tax the rich!”
On Friday night, Sanders appeared for a virtual “Get Out the Vote” event with Mamdani. Last month, Sanders and Mamdani teamed up for a “Fighting Oligarchy” town hall in Brooklyn.
Ahead of the Brooklyn town hall event, the two progressive leaders marched alongside union members in Manhattan’s Labor Day parade. That afternoon, Mamdani
posed for a photo
with Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez in Astoria, Queens, amassing millions of views.
Sanders, a two-time Democratic presidential nominee runner-up, was an early endorser of Mamdani’s primary campaign, along with Ocasio-Cortez. Their endorsements helped Mamdani consolidate progressive support in the 11-candidate field during the final weeks of the primary race.
Mamdani’s primary upset
triggered a political earthquake as the democratic socialist handily defeated Cuomo, who was widely expected to secure the Democratic nomination.
Mamdani’s cross-endorsement with fellow progressive New York City Comptroller Brad Lander cleared the path for Mamdani to consolidate support against Cuomo through ranked-choice voting.
Cuomo has since launched an independent campaign, teeing up a competitive and contentious general election battle.
Since Mamdani secured the Democratic nomination, Trump has labeled him a “100% Communist Lunatic,” and “my little communist,” ushering Mamdani onto the national political stage. Mamdani has rejected the moniker, maintaining that he identifies as a democratic socialist, like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez.
As Trump began criticizing Mamdani, New York Democrats chose to withhold their endorsements of the socialist candidate, who has made a slew of ambitious campaign promises, like fast and free buses, city-run grocery stores and free child care, all of which he plans to pay for by raising taxes on corporations and the top 1% of New Yorkers.
After months of withholding their endorsements, Hochul endorsed Mamdani last month and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally affirmed his support in a statement Friday. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has still yet to endorse.
Pressure had been mounting since Mamdani won the Democratic primary in June for Mayor
Eric Adams
, who was also running as an independent, or Cuomo to drop out of the race to consolidate support against Mamdani. Adams dropped out and endorsed Cuomo on Thursday.
That pressure reached a boiling point last week as billionaires, including Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis and hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman, called on Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa to drop out of the race in order to clear a pathway to victory for Cuomo.
The latest
Fox News survey
, conducted Oct. 10-14, ahead of the first general election debate last week, revealed that Mamdani has a substantial lead in the race. According to the poll, Mamdani has a 21-point lead among New York City registered voters with 49% of voters backing Mamdani, while 28% go for Cuomo and 13% favor Sliwa.
Mamdani also rose above the 50% threshold among
likely voters
, garnering 52% support, while Cuomo picked up 28%, and Sliwa received just 14%.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
