New York — In a major shake-up of the city’s political landscape, the leadership of the Manhattan Democratic Party has overwhelmingly endorsed Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist and current assemblyman, as its official nominee for mayor.
The decision came during a closed-door executive committee meeting Monday night, where 49 members voted in favor of Mamdani and only 5 opposed.
“Most Impressive Campaign in 40 Years,” Says Party Leader
Keith Wright, the party’s longtime leader and a prominent Harlem Democrat, praised Mamdani’s campaign, despite his past support for ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
“Zohran won the Democratic primary. He ran the most impressive campaign I’ve seen in 40 years of politics,” Wright said following the vote.
Mamdani, who defeated incumbent Mayor Eric Adams in the Democratic primary, has been steadily building momentum despite Adams and Cuomo now running on independent lines in the general election.
Young Voter Turnout Cited as Key to Support
Many committee members cited Mamdani’s ability to mobilize young voters as a major factor in his endorsement.
“The Democratic Party was adrift. Our party hasn’t seen life like we saw on June 24 in a long time,” said Arthur Schwartz, a district leader from Greenwich Village.
“Zohran is bringing life back into the party.”
Mamdani’s grassroots campaign and progressive platform have energized a younger, more activist base within the party, drawing comparisons to past political surges by figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Not All Democrats On Board
Despite the overwhelming support, not everyone was in favor of the party’s decision.
Former Harlem Assemblywoman Inez Dickens expressed concerns about Mamdani’s alignment with democratic socialism.
“I’m a Democrat. I’m not a socialist Democrat,” Dickens said, adding that Mamdani had not clearly outlined a plan for addressing the needs of Black New Yorkers.
Other members voiced concerns over Mamdani’s stance on Israel, especially amid growing tensions and a rise in antisemitic incidents.
In response, Mamdani assured the committee that he opposes antisemitism and supports public safety, saying he would not cut NYPD staffing.
Read Also: Pennsylvania Joins 30 Other States in Enforcing ‘No Touch’ Phone Law — Even at Red Lights
Opponents in the Race
Mamdani now faces a general election challenge from multiple opponents:
- Eric Adams, running on an independent line
- Andrew Cuomo, also on an independent line
- Jim Walden, a lawyer and political newcomer
- Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and the Republican nominee
What Do You Think About This Endorsement?
Does the Manhattan Democratic Party’s embrace of Zohran Mamdani signal a shift in New York City politics? Should the party align more with progressive values or stick to traditional Democratic ideals?
Join the conversation and share your views in the comments at ridgecrestpact.org.
