NEW YORK: Former US Vice President Kamala Harris has endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City, giving the democratic socialist candidate his most high-profile backing yet and underscoring the shifting fault lines within the Democratic Party.
Pressed during an interview with MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, Harris said Mamdani — who stunned the political establishment by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary — deserved full support as the party’s nominee. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s the Democrat in the race and he should be supported,” Harris said.
Ms. Maddow pressed again: “Do you endorse his candidacy?”
“I support the Democrat in the race, sure,” Ms. Harris said, without once saying the candidate’s name.
The remarks were notable because other top Democrats, including Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, have been cautious to back Mr. Mamdani, while others have avoided meeting him altogether.
The endorsement is significant not only because Harris remains one of the most recognizable figures in Democratic politics after her 2024 presidential defeat, but also because Mamdani is on track to become New York City’s first Muslim mayor — a breakthrough moment in US politics.
A milestone candidacy
Born in Uganda to a family of Indian descent, Mamdani grew up in New York’s Queens borough, the same district he went on to represent in the state assembly. A self-described democratic socialist with a record of pro-Palestinian activism, Mamdani’s rise reflects the growing strength of progressive politics in America’s largest city.
If elected, Mamdani would be not only New York’s first Muslim mayor but also one of the most prominent Muslim elected officials in US history — a fact resonating with voters in a city that prides itself on diversity yet has never had a Muslim in its top office.
By stepping in, Harris has effectively broken that wall of hesitation. Though careful not to use Mamdani’s name in her MSNBC interview, her affirmation that he is the Democrat to support signals that party unity is outweighing establishment doubts.
It also comes as Democrats wrestle with their future direction just five months into Donald Trump’s turbulent second term. Mamdani’s candidacy is seen as an early test of whether progressive politics can capture not only the heart of New York but also influence the party’s national trajectory.
Symbolism beyond New York
Beyond City Hall, Mamdani’s rise carries symbolic weight for Muslim Americans, who remain underrepresented in political leadership despite growing numbers in Congress and state legislatures. His likely election would mark a milestone in representation and test how far progressive Muslim leaders can push into the US political mainstream.
For Harris, the endorsement reflects both pragmatism and principle: supporting the party’s nominee while signaling that Democrats’ “big tent” includes voices once considered too far left. For Mamdani, it brings validation at a critical juncture — and perhaps an added boost toward making history in November.
