Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has endorsed Democratic Assemblyman Zohan Mamdani for New York City mayor on Thursday, claiming the socialist has "demonstrated a real ability on the ground to put together a coalition of working-class New Yorkers that is strongest to lead the pack."
Speaking to The New York Times, AOC added that "in the final stretch of the race, we need to get very real about that." She was likely making reference to the crowded field in which former Governor Andrew Cuomo has maintained a steady lead in the polls. The outlet noted that in 2021 progressives failed to coalesce around a candidate and lost the race to current Mayor Eric Adams.
Looking to help Mamdani get the support of other candidates, AOC said she would rank City Hall spokeswoman Adrienne Adams second, city comptroller Brad Lander third, former comptroller Scott Stringer fourth and Zellnor Myrie, a state senator from Brooklyn, fifth.
"Even if the entire left coalesced around any one candidate, an ideological coalition is still insufficient for us to win," AOC added, noting that some of the mentioned candidates are to her right. "We have to have a true working-class coalition," she added.
The outlet noted it is unclear whether AOC's endorsement will have a real impact, considering most young and liberal supporters who back her already support Mamdani, and there is a possibility the intervention will alienate some moderate Democrats considering him.
Mamdani celebrated the endorsement, calling AOC a "once-in-a-generation leader," adding they both seek to help oppose President Donald Trump.
Other candidates have reportedly noted that Mamdani has weaknesses that could limit his support, including criticism from the Jewish community over his vocal criticism of Israel, support for the Palestinian cause and accusations that the country is committing genocide in Gaza.
Mamdani has also previously endorsed calls to "defund the police," a slogan that gained ground following the killing of George Floyd in 2020 but later dissipated. AOC also told the NYT that Mamdani has work to do to gain support of the Black and Latino community, adding that "trust can't be built quickly."
AOC's support among prominent Democrats will be under scrutiny as she is expected to raise her profile nationally. In fact, some are trying to convince her to primary Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in the next midterm elections.
A recent survey by Siena College showed that things are not looking up for Sen. Schumer, who has faced criticism from voters for not having a stronger hand in opposing the Trump administration. Around half of voters polled (49%) viewed the senator unfavorably, with just 39% viewing him in a positive light. That 10-point net negative is the lowest Schumer has seen in 20 years of Siena polling.
At the top of the list of contenders is AOC, and the Siena poll reflected that. The progressive rising star enjoyed much better polling compared to her senior lawmaker, with a 47% favorability rating and 33% viewing her unfavorably.
"Among eight elected officials and each house of the State Legislature, AOC has the best favorability rating. She is viewed favorably by 64% of Democrats— more than (New York Gov. Kathy) Hochul or Schumer— and she is viewed unfavorably by 60% of Republicans.
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