The Endorsement Power of Zohran Mamdani
And how he should wield it
Colossus is here! Buy the novel that has been called a “challenging portrait of a thoroughly modern man.” You won’t regret it.
The Colossus book tour has begun. On Tuesday, May 26th, I’ll be in Los Angeles, in conversation with franknews. Come to 7151 Beverly Boulevard. Doors at 7 pm.
There’s one month left in another unusual and very consequential primary season in New York City. A year ago, Zohran Mamdani, my old campaign manager, was surging to the top of the pack against Andrew Cuomo, who was seeing his lead in the mayoral race evaporate. Even then, with all the momentum behind Mamdani, it was almost impossible to imagine this future—Mamdani, firmly ensconced in his first term, the youngest mayor of New York City in a century.
Mamdani’s insurgent days are behind him. He’s now a political power unto himself, and like anyone in his position, he must decide how to wield his influence to build alliances. So far, he’s used this power sparingly—though that may soon change. While Bernie Sanders has endorsed the local DSA slate running in the state legislative primaries, Mamdani has not. It would be a surprise if he didn’t—what’s the point of electing a socialist mayor if he can’t even back the socialists downballot?—but there is a reason he’s proceeding so cautiously. A vast majority of the primary campaigns are against members of the State Assembly, and Mamdani just endured a trying budget season working with the Assembly Speaker, Carl Heastie, to ensure New York City was protected in Albany. And it was. The state legislature, along with Gov. Kathy Hochul, offered billions to help close the city’s budget gap and fund the beginnings of Mamdani’s universal childcare program. They agreed to a tax on luxury second homes, which partially fulfilled Mamdani’s campaign pledge to tax the rich. It was a successful few months in a place that can be foreboding or outright hostile to New York City mayors.
It’s no coincidence, then, Mamdani wasn’t engaging in primary campaigns against state assembly members voting on his priorities in Albany. That, however, might have to change. DSA wasn’t the only reason he became mayor, but they represent his electoral base, and they must continue to be engaged if he’s going to be an influential two-term mayor. They are the backbone of his de facto political machine, or what passes for one in 2026.
These are the competitive DSA state legislative candidates Mamdani should, in the coming days, endorse: Aber Kawas, Christian Celeste Tate, Conrad Blackburn, David Orkin, Eon Huntley, Samantha Kattan, and Illapa Sairitupac. He should also take a hard look at the congressional campaign of Darializa Avila Chevalier in Manhattan and the Bronx.
The question, really, is whether Mamdani is ready for this sort of political combat. His political project might rest on the decisions he makes as soon as next week.
