AOC Welcomes Progressive Zohran Mamdani to Nation’s Capital/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Zohran Mamdani’s Democratic mayoral nomination is shaking national politics as AOC champions his candidacy while top Democratic leaders hesitate to endorse. Former President Trump calls Mamdani a communist and suggests Andrew Cuomo could beat him. Democrats remain split, wary of alienating voters with Mamdani’s progressive platform.
Zohran Mamdani Campaign Quick Looks
- Zohran Mamdani wins NYC Democratic mayoral primary.
- AOC hosts Mamdani in Washington for strategy meeting.
- Schumer, Jeffries yet to endorse Mamdani’s campaign.
- Trump labels Mamdani a “communist,” suggests Cuomo stay in race.
- Democrats divided over embracing Mamdani’s progressive agenda.
- Mamdani would be NYC’s first Muslim mayor if elected.
- Republicans tie Mamdani to Democrats nationally in attacks.
- Mamdani’s campaign focuses on affordability and digital outreach.
AOC Welcomes Progressive Zohran Mamdani to Nation’s Capital
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — The ripple effects from Zohran Mamdani’s stunning victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary continue to surge through the Democratic Party, exposing rifts over the future direction of its leadership and messaging ahead of key national elections.
On Wednesday, progressive powerhouse Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., officially welcomed Mamdani to the nation’s capital by hosting a breakfast event meant to introduce the 33-year-old democratic socialist to other lawmakers and potential allies. The event, dubbed a “Communication and Organizing Skillshare Breakfast,” took place at a restaurant near Capitol Hill after a last-minute venue change.
Ocasio-Cortez, who campaigned alongside Mamdani in New York ahead of his primary win, said she hopes the visit can help unify Democrats and allow people to “hear what he has to say about making New York affordable for working people,” citing his focus on issues like rent freezes, childcare, and grocery prices.
“I think a lot of people just need to get to know folks before they issue an endorsement,” Ocasio-Cortez told reporters Tuesday. “I hope that this conversation can be constructive to bring the party together and rally behind our nominee.”
Top Democrats Hold Back Endorsements
Despite Ocasio-Cortez’s vocal support, Mamdani’s campaign remains in limbo regarding endorsements from Democratic powerhouses. Neither House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries nor Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has formally endorsed Mamdani’s bid for mayor of America’s largest city.
Mamdani, who would become New York City’s first Muslim mayor if elected, expressed optimism about meeting Democratic leaders during his Washington visit. Yet, Schumer told reporters his next meeting with Mamdani would happen in New York City, while Jeffries said he planned to meet Mamdani back in Brooklyn at the end of the week.
Veteran Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., who has endorsed Mamdani, said he assumes Schumer and Jeffries “would endorse in time,” signaling lingering caution within the party over publicly backing Mamdani’s candidacy.
Cuomo Stays In, Trump Stirs the Pot
Meanwhile, former Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he would remain in the mayoral race as an independent, setting up a dramatic showdown in November. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who initially backed Cuomo, shifted his endorsement to Mamdani last week, stating, “We’re past the primary, and the people of New York City have spoken.”
But former President Donald Trump has seized on the Democrats’ internal divisions, branding Mamdani a “Communist” during an exchange with Fox News’ Peter Doocy at the White House.
“I’d love to be invited to that breakfast,” Trump quipped. “But I don’t think our country is ready for a Communist. And I don’t think that race is over yet either.”
Trump argued that Cuomo should remain in the race, saying, “He’s running against a Communist. I would think that he would have a good shot of winning.”
Mamdani’s campaign swiftly responded to Trump’s comments, congratulating Cuomo on “earning Donald Trump’s endorsement,” and challenging Cuomo to either embrace or reject Trump’s support publicly.
A Divided Democratic Party
Inside the Democratic Party, opinions on Mamdani’s candidacy remain divided. While progressive voices rallied behind him in Washington, moderates voiced skepticism.
Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., who has emerged as one of Mamdani’s most vocal critics, skipped Wednesday’s breakfast. Conversely, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., who attended, praised Mamdani’s innovative use of social media during his campaign and criticized the media for what she called exaggerated claims of the party drifting toward socialism.
Progressive leaders such as Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington State and Rep. Ro Khanna of California, both high-profile figures in the progressive wing of the party, praised Mamdani after Wednesday’s breakfast.
Jayapal described Mamdani as “inspiring,” while Khanna called him “very impressive.” Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y., lauded Mamdani’s authenticity, saying, “It’s just beautiful to have someone who is so authentic. Money cannot buy that.”
However, many Democratic lawmakers noted Mamdani avoided delving into specific far-left policy proposals during the meeting, instead emphasizing affordability and digital outreach as central themes of his campaign.
Rep. Luz Rivas, D-Calif., said the discussion focused more on how Mamdani effectively communicated his message than on outlining a detailed policy agenda.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., who planned to attend the breakfast, admitted he has “vast disagreements” with Mamdani’s policies but was interested in learning from Mamdani’s digital strategy and how he connected with younger voters.
Republicans Seize the Narrative
Republicans are eager to exploit Mamdani’s candidacy, branding him as symbolic of a radical leftward shift in the Democratic Party.
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley declared in an interview, “This is the face of the new Democratic Party. Everybody who wants to lead that party wants to lead it to the left. They’re moving away from the American public at a pretty rapid clip.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee has similarly targeted Mamdani, vowing to tie vulnerable Democrats nationwide to his brand of democratic socialism in campaign messaging.
“Radical socialist Zohran Mamdani isn’t just the future of the Democrat Party; he is the Democrat Party,” read one NRCC statement. “They may try to run from it, but they’ve already bent the knee.”
A Crucial Race Ahead
As November approaches, Mamdani’s mayoral bid is becoming not only a pivotal contest for New York City but a bellwether for national Democrats wrestling with the influence of progressive politics. Whether the party ultimately rallies behind Mamdani—or fractures further—could shape both the city’s future and the Democratic Party’s national fortunes.
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