Kamala Harris offers tepid endorsement for Mamdani in NYC mayoral race
Harris signals support while urging focus on other party stars as establishment weighs its options
Vice President Kamala Harris offered a lukewarm endorsement of Zohran Mamdani during an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow on Monday, saying, 'Look, as far as I'm concerned, he's the Democratic nominee and he should be supported' as she weighed Mamdani's decisive primary victory in the New York City mayoral race and the party establishment's hesitation to back him. Harris framed the support as part of a broader call to back the party's candidates while noting that 'he's not the only star' in the Democratic orbit.
The remarks come as Mamdani's candidacy has confronted intermittent pushback from within the party's ranks. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have declined to spell out their reasons for withholding an endorsement, stating they are still weighing their decisions. Their hesitation occurs even as former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has refused to exit the race, illustrating the tensions within a party that is trying to reconcile progressive energy with electability in a major urban contest. Hochul's earlier endorsement of Mamdani has also fueled discussion about where the party's moderates and progressives stand as the race unfolds.
Harris then used the moment to elevate other candidates she described as 'stars,' highlighting state and local leaders beyond New York who are running for mayor. She pointed to Alabama State Rep. Barbara Drummond, who is campaigning in Mobile, and Helena Moreno, a New Orleans City Council member running for mayor, saying, 'They're all running for mayor, too, and they are stars.' 'So I hope that we don't overindex on New York City that we lose sight of the stars throughout our country,' she added.
The endorsement marks Mamdani's most conspicuous show of support from a national figure to date and reflects a broader pattern in which establishment figures have begun signaling openness to his candidacy. The dynamic underscores ongoing fault lines within the Democratic Party as it navigates a crowded field of local races that have captured national attention. Analysts caution that endorsements, while influential in some districts, do not guarantee outcomes in a city with a long ballot and a diverse electorate.
As the race progresses, observers say the episode highlights the careful balancing act for national Democrats: support energetic progressive campaigns while mitigating concerns about electability, particularly in a general election setting. The party's leadership will likely continue to weigh endorsements against the backdrop of competing regional interests and the unpredictable dynamics of New York City politics.