While he declined to publicly endorse Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for a potential presidential run, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani quietly signed a petition that hailed the progressive lawmaker as “the most viable left contender for president in 2028.”
The petition from the Democratic Socialists of America’s New York City chapter was previously unreported until Politico scooped the story this week. Mamdani, who is a DSA member, signed the “NYC-DSA for AOC” petition in March.
The document was primarily designed to endorse Ocasio-Cortez for reelection in the House this year, but it mentioned her future presidential ambitions as the socialist group sought to strengthen its ties to the left-wing congresswoman.
The Washington Examiner contacted Mamdani’s office to confirm that he had added his signature to the petition.
An anonymous adviser to Mamdani said the mayor joined New York’s other DSA elected officials in signing the petition backing Ocasio-Cortez for another term in Congress, according to Politico.
After the petition collected nearly 600 signatures this spring, the NYC-DSA chapter voted overwhelmingly in favor of the progressive congresswoman for the 2026 midterm elections. She has served in the House since 2019.
In a July interview with the New York Times, Mamdani said it was too early to comment on a potential 2028 presidential campaign, let alone endorse a candidate who has not yet announced their run. Despite the mayor’s decision not to endorse Ocasio-Cortez at the time, the two remain closely aligned.
Before New York’s June 23 congressional primaries, Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez both gave each other advance notice of their endorsements in those races.
For instance, Mamdani told Ocasio-Cortez that he planned to endorse socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier over incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) in the Democratic primary for New York’s 13th Congressional District. The mayor endorsed Chevalier despite agreeing with Espaillat last year to support each other’s campaigns.
Similarly, Ocasio-Cortez told Mamdani she would back three socialist candidates running against incumbents in the New York State Assembly. Every candidate who was backed by either Mamdani or Ocasio-Cortez won their primaries this summer.
Regarding her 2028 aspirations, Ocasio-Cortez is staying quiet on her plans for now while remaining open to a potential run.
“I haven’t ruled out the possibility,” she told ABC News last month, “and I’m very humbled to the tremendous amount of support out there.”
AOC’S PIVOT FOR 2028 HAS BEGUN. WILL IT WORK?
If she doesn’t want to run for the White House, Ocasio-Cortez could seek a term in the Senate instead.
The progressive lawmaker could mount a bid for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) seat, which will be up for election in 2028.