Obama Offers To Be Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Sounding Board’ If He Wins NYC Mayoral Election, Report Says

Topline

Former President Barack Obama lauded the campaign of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor and frontrunner in the race, expressing his support during a 30-minute call between, the New York Times reported, despite hesitancy from the party’s top brass to support the 34-year-old democratic socialist.

Key Facts

Obama said he was invested in Mamdani’s long-term success, said his campaign has been “impressive to watch” and offered to be a “sounding board” in the event the Democratic candidate wins the election next week, the New York Times reported.

Mamdani has divided opinion within his own party as he runs on a platform of progressive taxes for the wealthy and rent freezes for some tenants.

While Obama did not formally endorse Mamdani, their phone call is an expression of support for the candidate, who is leading in several polls.

Election day for the New York City mayoral race is on November 4, as Mamdani faces off against former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

Key Background

Mamdani’s campaign has drawn a lot of attention since he surprisingly defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor in July. The candidate is running on policies such as freezing rent for tenants in rent-stabilized units, creating city-owned grocery stores, raising the minimum wage and offering fare-free buses in the city. Mamdani has told of the inspiration he has drawn from figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bernie Sanders in developing his policies. Many Democrats have either spoken out against Mamdani or been unwilling to express support for his campaign, with some fearing his image could be detrimental to the Democrats’ push in the 2026 midterm congressional elections. Last month, the Republican campaign arm in the House of Representatives issued a memo vowing to oppose Mamdani and pit him as a symbol of the Democratic Party. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer refused to comment when asked if he would vote for Mamdani, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries only endorsed him last week. A Forbes analysis showed that 26 billionaires and members of billion-dollar families from around the country have sunk at least $100,000 each into supporting Cuomo or one of the other candidates running against Mamdani. President Donald Trump has openly criticised Mamdani, calling him a “100% Communist Lunatic.”

Further Reading