New York City Mayor’s Political Endorsements: A Double-Edged Sword?
NEW YORK — In a demonstration of political prowess, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s chosen successor for the state Assembly, Diana Moreno, glided to a straightforward victory on Tuesday night. However, this win may mark the end of easy rides for Mamdani-backed candidates in the foreseeable future.
The newly minted mayor has thrown his support behind Brad Lander’s campaign to dethrone Rep. Dan Goldman in New York’s 10th Congressional District, along with Assemblymember Claire Valdez for the NY-07 seat being vacated by Rep. Nydia Velázquez.
These Democratic congressional primaries promise to be far more contentious than Moreno’s race, prompting a pivotal inquiry: just how much clout does a Mamdani endorsement carry?
“We’re about to find out,” remarked Grace Mausser, co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America’s New York City chapter, which has endorsed both Moreno and Valdez, but not Lander. “His endorsement comes with tangible benefits: impressive volunteer and donor lists, robust social media reach… Yet we’re also exploring the intangible aspects, right? Who currently holds the reins of left and progressive politics in New York?”
Thus far, Mamdani has shown greater enthusiasm for Valdez’s campaign than Lander’s. He was seen alongside Valdez, a prominent Queens lawmaker, former United Auto Workers union organizer, and Mamdani’s earliest supporter during his mayoral campaign, at an event shortly after she announced her candidacy. The mayor even created a playful social media video in a subway station to amplify her fundraising efforts.
Valdez faces a challenge from Antonio Reynoso, the Brooklyn borough president who has Velázquez’s endorsement as her preferred successor. Additionally, Queens City Council Member Julie Won has recently joined the fray in this progressive district spanning Brooklyn and Queens.
In contrast, Mamdani’s engagement in Lander’s campaign has been notably restrained since endorsing the former city comptroller on the same day he launched his congressional bid. Lander, who cross-endorsed Mamdani during last year’s mayoral race, is now competing in Brooklyn and Manhattan against an incumbent who possesses over three times as much campaign funding and the backing of Democratic House leadership, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
A political adviser to Mamdani indicated that his team is still weighing how much to engage in both congressional races, emphasizing caution regarding the implications of the mayor’s current level of involvement with Valdez. The adviser noted that they are awaiting the outcome of a court case that could potentially alter the district lines, perhaps shifting Goldman to run in the neighboring 11th District instead.
Regardless of the current dynamics, the adviser, who preferred to remain anonymous for strategic reasons, stated that Mamdani’s mere association with Lander and Valdez “already carries significant weight that these campaigns can leverage.”
“His direct involvement will always take a backseat to his responsibilities as mayor,” the aide elaborated. “Ninety-nine percent of his focus will be on managing the city.”
The balance of politics and governance is particularly relevant given Mamdani’s strained relationship with Velázquez, a well-respected progressive who recently cautioned him, in an interview with The New York Times, to remain within his lane.
Indeed, the mayor has his hands full managing the nation’s largest city. The congressional primaries scheduled for June coincide with the City Council’s finalization of the city budget, all while grappling with serious fiscal challenges.
“I question whether this was the smartest move for him, considering the immense responsibilities of being mayor,” noted Democratic strategist Lupe Todd-Medina, suggesting that Mamdani might find himself in a bind where he cannot campaign for Lander and Valdez as actively as they would wish, given the demands of governing New York City.
As the June primaries draw closer, a Lander campaign official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, mentioned that they too await a court decision that could significantly alter the NY-10 district lines.
If the race becomes competitive, the Lander aide expressed confidence that Mamdani would step up to assist with fundraising and campaigning for the former comptroller. The lack of early involvement from the mayor is understandable, they noted, considering his focus on governance during his initial month in office.
While the two House primaries exhibit different dynamics, their outcomes will ultimately determine whether Mamdani can replicate the political magic that propelled him from relative obscurity to the second most challenging job in the nation.
“He has much to gain by doubling down on these two races, but I believe he has more at stake in the 7th District,” remarked Michael Lange, a political analyst specializing in progressive movements. Valdez, he noted, “is a close ally who emerges from his political base and home.”
