Former President Barack Obama called Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s Democratic nominee for mayor, after the socialist won the June primary.
Obama congratulated Mamdani and “offered him advice about governing and discussed the importance of giving people hope in a dark time,” according to the New York Times.
Mamdani decisively won the June Democratic primary for mayor in New York City over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whom he is now running against in the November general election along with incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and Republican Curtis Sliwa, among others.
The former president is still highly popular within the party, and his signaled support for the Democratic socialist starkly contrasts with New York congressional leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who have shown hesitancy in fully backing Mamdani.
Mamdani’s plans for free buses and child care, government-run grocery stores, and his anti-Israel rhetoric have spooked Republicans and moderate Democrats in the city. But his liberal movement has triumphed so far anyway, and he’s favored to win in November.
Obama has not endorsed Mamdani and has stayed out of the public spotlight since the 2024 presidential election. New York-based Democratic strategist Max Burns told the Washington Examiner that word of Obama’s support for Mamdani could signal a shift in the Democratic establishment.
“Obama doesn’t make decisions lightly,” he said. “If he’s comfortable letting his name be linked to Mamdani so directly, it’s a good indication that we should expect some more establishment names to come out for Mamdani in the coming weeks.”
“Obama usually only wades into these kinds of races once he’s done the rounds and gotten a solid sense of where the momentum is heading,” he added.
Burns also believes Obama’s presence in the race hurts Cuomo.
“It’s a big blow to Cuomo, who would have really preferred Obama keep being too busy to comment,” he concluded.
Mamdani’s communications director, former Obama White House aide Jeffrey Lerner, reveled in the reporting of the former president’s conversation with Mamdani. “Much like my former boss, Zohran embodies thoughtful leadership, moral courage, and a unique ability to inspire hope in those who’ve been left behind by politics as usual,” he told the New York Times.
Others in Obama’s circle — Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau, former Obama adviser Dan Pfeiffer, and senior adviser David Axelrod — have shown interest in Mamdani too. Axelrod met with Mamdani and stopped by his campaign office to see his operation.
“What I found when I went over to that office was a familiar spirit that I hadn’t seen in a while of just determined, upbeat idealism,” Axelrod told the New York Times. “You may not agree with every answer he’s giving, or every idea he has, but he’s certainly asking the right questions, which is how do we make the country work for working people?”
Democrats are still searching for the leaders of their political future. Mamdani has been floated as a promising young candidate who could spearhead the Democratic Party eventually, along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Mamdani recently previewed what his rhetoric toward President Donald Trump could look like in his mayoral administration, slamming Cuomo’s reported call with the president. “We see far too many parallels between Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo,” he said. “We know a fraud when we see one.”
CUOMO AND MAMDANI TRADE BARBS OVER FRAUD ACCUSATIONS
Sliwa, the Republican candidate, believes Mamdani is winning in his pursuit to become mayor if he makes the conversation about the battle between him and Trump. “Every day it’s Trump vs. Zohran Mamdani, it’s a good day for Zohran Mamdani,” Sliwa said.
Mamdani will face off against Cuomo, Sliwa, and Adams in the November general election. A recent poll showed Mamdani with 44% support, with Cuomo at 25%, Sliwa at 12%, and Adams at the rear of the pack with 7%.