Mamdani endorsed by high-profile Democrat Rep. Adriano Espaillat
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- New York State Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani picked up another big endorsement in his bid to become the next mayor of New York City.
Rep. Adriano Espaillat, one of the city's most powerful and influential Latino politicians, formally backed Mamdani after endorsing Andrew Cuomo in the primary.
"We've had our primary, we had our election, and the people have spoken great and the Democrats have spoken," Espaillat said. "And they have said clearly that they have selected Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani to be our nominee of the Democratic Party."
Since his victory in the Democratic primary, Mamdani has moved quickly to consolidate support and to broaden his base.
Building on his core constituency of progressives and young, first-time voters to the city's largest municipal labor unions, like the United Federation of Teachers and high-profile Democratic politicians, like Congressman Espaillat.
"I will not simply be a mayor for the more than 500,000 New Yorkers who gave us the most votes of any Democratic nominee in our city's primary history," Mamdani said. "I will be a mayor for everyone who calls this city home."
Mamdani acknowledged that he has yet to gain the endorsement of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, but he insisted that they share the same objectives.
"I am excited and continuing to have those conversations to build that partnership because ultimately what unites all of us is fighting for the people of this city and fighting back against authoritarianism in Washington, D.C.," Mamdani said.
On Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an Independent, again urged former Governor Andrew Cuomo to drop his own independent bid for City Hall.
He insisted on Bloomberg on Thursday morning that only he can beat Mamdani in November.
"I am going to complete this race, my campaign has just started," Adams said.
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