Mamdani Rallies NYC Voters With Support From Sanders, AOC/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, energized supporters Sunday at a rally in Queens backed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez, positioning his campaign as a “movement of the masses.” He laid out bold proposals including hiring thousands of new teachers, freezing rent on the city’s rent‑regulated apartments, and expanding universal child care. With early voting underway ahead of the Nov. 4 general election, Mamdani faces competition from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (running as an independent) and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Quick Look
- The rally, held in a Queens stadium, featured Sanders and Ocasio‑Cortez pitching Mamdani as the progressive alternative to “billionaires and oligarchs” backing his rivals.
- Mamdani emphasized an inclusive coalition: “When you insist on building a coalition with room for every New Yorker, that is exactly what you create: a tremendous force.”
- Key policy promises: Thousands of new teachers, renegotiated city contracts, rent freeze for about one million regulated apartments, more affordable housing, and universal child care.
- Opposition dynamic: Former Governor Andrew Cuomo criticized Mamdani’s democratic‑socialist platform as naïve and warned of a flight of businesses and residents.
- High‑profile endorsements: Sanders said Mamdani would represent “working families—not the billionaire class.” Ocasio‑Cortez framed Mamdani’s win as part of a broader national fight against authoritarianism and extremism.
- Additional campaign backing: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, despite policy differences, endorsed Mamdani to present a unified Democratic front against Republican alternatives.
- Incumbent mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the Democratic primary and endorsed Cuomo, shifting the race into a general election contest.
Mamdani Rallies NYC Voters With Support From Sanders, AOC
Deep Look
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is surging into the final days of the 2025 election with powerful momentum, bolstered by national progressive heavyweights Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. On Sunday, the trio headlined an electrifying rally at a stadium in Queens, where Mamdani declared his campaign a “movement of the masses” and laid out an ambitious vision for the city’s future.
Addressing a packed crowd of enthusiastic supporters, Mamdani detailed his plans to transform city governance with proposals to hire thousands of new teachers, freeze rent on over a million rent-regulated apartments, build more affordable housing, renegotiate city contracts, and implement universal childcare programs. The rally was not just a political event — it was a show of force for New York’s progressive base.
“This, my friends, was your movement, and it always will be,” Mamdani declared from the stage as chants of his name echoed through the venue. He reminded supporters that early voting has already begun and cautioned against any sense of complacency, even as polls suggest he leads the race.
The 34-year-old state assemblymember has emerged as a frontrunner in a competitive three-way contest. He faces stiff challenges from former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, who also spent Sunday campaigning in Queens.
Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations that he continues to deny, has positioned himself as the “real Democrat” in the race. In a radio interview Sunday morning, Cuomo criticized Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform, warning that it would drive businesses and residents out of the city.
“The socialists want to take over the Democratic Party. That’s what Bernie Sanders is all about. That’s what AOC is all about,” Cuomo said. “He wins, book airline tickets for Florida now.”
But Mamdani, undeterred, fired back during his speech, calling Cuomo’s policies “the playbook of the past” and promising a new future for the city. “We cannot allow complacency to infiltrate this movement,” he said.
Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez used their appearances to highlight the stakes of the race in a national context. AOC said Mamdani’s campaign was emblematic of a broader struggle against authoritarianism and right-wing extremism, tying the race to President Donald Trump’s controversial administration.
“It is not a coincidence that the very forces Zohran is up against in this race mirror what we are up against nationally,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “An authoritarian, criminal presidency fueled by corruption and bigotry.”
Sanders framed Mamdani as a candidate who will champion the interests of working-class New Yorkers rather than corporate elites. “In the year 2025, when the people on top have never, ever had so much economic and political power, is it possible for ordinary people to come together and defeat those oligarchs?” Sanders asked. “You’re damn right we can.”
The rally also featured speeches from religious leaders, union organizers, and several prominent state Democrats including Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. The event was hosted by “Saturday Night Live” cast member Sarah Sherman, adding a touch of entertainment to the high-energy afternoon.
Mamdani’s campaign, running under the slogan “New York Is Not For Sale,” has drawn sharp contrasts with his opponents, both of whom he claims are beholden to corporate interests and political machines. He has also received an endorsement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who acknowledged policy disagreements but emphasized the importance of party unity against Republicans and Trump.
Cuomo, meanwhile, has received support from outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who abruptly withdrew from the race and endorsed the former governor. Adams had faced mounting criticism from both progressives and moderates, paving the way for Mamdani’s rise.
With the November 4 election rapidly approaching and early voting underway, Mamdani and his allies are working to maintain momentum and drive turnout — especially among younger and working-class voters. Whether the progressive surge can withstand the pressure of the final stretch remains to be seen, but for now, Mamdani’s message is resonating.
“This is a campaign of hope,” he told the crowd. “A campaign of solidarity. A campaign that believes New York belongs to all of us — not just the powerful.”
Mamdani’s campaign is gaining steam as one of the most watched city‑wide races in years—both for what it signals about New York politics and how it may reflect broader shifts in the Democratic Party. His progressive platform and coalition of younger voters and working‑class activists position him as a figure of change in a city grappling with affordability, housing pressure, and economic inequality.
Buoyed by endorsements from Sanders and Ocasio‑Cortez, Mamdani’s message also ties into national narratives of populism versus elites.
What to Watch
- Turnout: Early voting is underway ahead of the Nov. 4 general election, and Mamdani’s campaign is touting its grassroots support—especially among younger, progressive, and working‑class voters.
- Policy impact: His platform of rent freezes, child care expansion, and public‑sector hiring could reshape New York’s political economy if enacted.
- National resonance: The race is seen as a barometer for progressive strength within the Democratic Party and could influence future races beyond the city.
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