New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been privately meeting with left-leaning labor union leaders and pushing for a progressive candidate to run for the White House in 2028, according to a report from Axios first highlighted by the New York Post on Monday morning.
The Democratic Socialist mayor cannot run for president himself, because he was born in Uganda. But sources close to Mamdani told Axios he wants to capitalize on progressives’ momentum after last week’s midterm elections and organize a far-left bloc to fight moderate Democratic candidates.
“Mobilize quickly, strategically and efficiently”
According to one source who spoke directly with Mamdani, the mayor “wants the progressive ecosystem to mobilize quickly, strategically and efficiently if a moderate candidate is clearly on the rise.”
The source compared the strategy to the way former President Barack Obama appeared to use his influence to consolidate support behind Joe Biden and against Sen. Bernie Sanders in 2020. This time, the goal would be the reverse: rallying the left behind a progressive before a moderate can pull away.
Meetings with union leaders
Last month, Mamdani hosted Jimmy Williams Jr., president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, at Gracie Mansion to discuss the 2028 race. According to sources who spoke to Axios, the mayor asked Williams what it would take to win his union’s endorsement, and whether Williams would consider running for the White House himself.
Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, has also met with Mamdani recently to talk about the upcoming presidential election, among other issues. Mamdani also plans to speak soon with Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers.
Doubts about AOC
The report also included a striking admission. Mamdani has reportedly said in private that he is not convinced Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, his close political ally and the leading young progressive voice on Capitol Hill, will actually run for president. Ocasio-Cortez has not announced a decision.
Just over a week ago, on Nov. 1, Mamdani, Ocasio-Cortez and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul campaigned together in Astoria, Queens.
What it means
Less than a week after the midterms, the fight over the future of the Democratic Party is already underway, and the mayor of America’s biggest city is positioning himself as a kingmaker for its socialist wing. Whether union leaders, and Democratic voters nationwide, want to follow New York City’s lead is the question heading into 2028.